Read: Ephesians 3:10–13
Watch: Bible Project: Glory (Kavod)
A Holy Common Thread
Eden. The Tabernacle. The Temple. Heaven. Your Heart.
What comes to mind when you think of these places? What images do you see? Perhaps you feel a mix of wonder and comfort, or maybe even a bit of confusion and fear.
What do all these places have in common? They are the dwelling places of the Glory of God.
A Glimpse in the Cleft
This morning I re-read the conversation between Yahweh and Moses in Exodus 33:12–23 (I suggest you read it afresh today). Because of the people’s stubborn rebellion, God told Moses He would not travel with them—lest His holiness consume them on the way.
Moses pleaded with God, asking not just for His company, but to “know His ways.” Then, Moses made the ultimate request: “Show me your glorious presence.”
God told Moses that no human can see His face and live, but He granted him a transforming experience. God placed Moses in the cleft of a rock and covered him with His hand for protection. As God’s glory passed by, He removed His hand. Just being in the place where the “afterglow” of God’s glory had been was enough to cause Moses’ face to physically shine.
The Glory Within
Most of us have no problem believing that God’s glory resides in Heaven. We can even accept that it once rested on the Tabernacle or the Temple. But how do you feel about the Glory of God residing in your heart?
We were created for union with God. Through faith in Jesus, our broken relationship is restored. Through adoption, we receive a new name (“You are mine,” God says) and a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26).
When you repented and trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you received the Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17; Romans 8:9–11). The center of your being now houses the presence of the Almighty King of the universe! Wow.
A Walking Tabernacle
Are you comfortable knowing that the King of Glory resides within you? Just like Moses, we cannot yet house the complete fullness of God’s glory—that is reserved for eternity. But for now, you walk through your everyday life as a carrier of the King.
You don’t just represent Him; He goes wherever you go. You are a walking tabernacle. As Jesus said, “You are the light of the world!”
Pray: “Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, my God. And renew a right spirit within me!”
Discussion Questions:
1. The “Cleft of the Rock” Experience In Exodus 33, Moses is hidden in the rock to survive the weight of God’s glory. Today, we are “carriers of the King.”
- Discussion: How does the reality of the Holy Spirit living inside us change the way we view our safety and protection compared to Moses’ experience outside the rock?
2. The Weight of the Presence, “Are you comfortable knowing that the King of Glory resides within you?”
- Discussion: If we truly lived with a 24/7 awareness that our hearts are God’s current “temple,” what is one specific area of your daily routine (work, hobbies, or private thoughts) that might look different this week?
3. Glowing in the Dark Moses glowed after being near God’s presence, and Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world.”
Discussion: In a city like Madrid, what does it look like for a “walking tabernacle” to shine in a way that others notice? Is it a physical “glow,” or is it something else—like peace, patience, or the way we handle conflict?