Many are the gatherings that we people of faith attend by which we can set our minds on the things of God. What types of gatherings would these be? A bible study would be one example; coming together for prayer and praise; even a Christian concert can cause one to ponder the wonders of the Lord and His kingdom to come. And certainly we can think of other such events. But when we think of them we find that most are of such a nature that they really don’t require much patience or discipline on our part. There is however one way in which we’ll experience His presence that does indeed demand these virtues. It is a way set apart from every other, and in a place seated high above all the rest. Yet it is here that believers struggle most to talk to and think upon their Maker.
If you’re familiar with the scriptures, you’ve heard of this place. Albeit, in our day it has become altogether changed. Though in Old Testament times you knew never to enter there, unless you were the high priest of Israel. And by now you may have guessed that I speak of the inner sanctuary of the temple – back then, the feared and dreaded holy of holies. Jehovah’s servant had good reason to fear the sacred room behind the curtain. If while in there he was found displeasing to the Almighty One of heaven and earth, it could have resulted in the loss of his life.
Be glad! It’s a new day; it’s a new day and a new covenant has now replaced the old. Today, our body is the temple in which God dwells. And by His Spirit He resides in the very center of that temple – that is to say, the heart, our innermost sanctuary and most holy place. Now it is this sacred chamber where the believer meets with Him. We have become the priest. It is we now who minister to the Lord there. The offering up of the body of Christ for sin has made the old sanctuary obsolete, the miraculous tearing of its curtain signifying this. It is we today who have gained access to the Father through the work of the Son. And the work being of an eternal nature, grants us access to Him forever. No longer is it a place to be feared. On the contrary it is where David’s beautifully penned words become realized: “You show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
It is this secret and hidden and holy sanctum of our inner being where we come to intimacy with God. Once it was a room defined by ritual. When this was ended there was nothing left for the priest to do but depart. Yet today we can remain in the sanctuary as long as we desire, while basking in His love. Once it was for a single man, and then only one time yearly. But in the new day of His marvelous grace, it is for every child of God, and we may enter as often as we will. Once it was merely in part, having only to do with the blood of animals and a priest yet unregenerate in his spirit. But today all has been cleansed by the blood of the Son, and we who enter are born of God and robed in white.
But as I’ve already stated, as much as it offers, it is here where believers struggle most to have communion with their Maker. When in a group, we seem to not have trouble with this. Freely we are able to sing, pray, worship, and have ourselves a time in the Spirit. But when there is only the Father and His child – even as it was when the high priest entered - we may be at a loss for words; our minds begin to turn to things outside the holy place; our eye is on the clock, wishing the hands would speed up. Yet our heavenly Father cherishes these moments.
To be clear and to the point, it is this inner chamber that can be likened to the room where a husband and wife become intimate; where a knowing of one another takes place. Except now it is not in the flesh as with a man and a woman, but in the Spirit. Now the two, becoming one, occurs with the God of the universe and His most beloved creation. As a holy communion unfolds, there begins a merging of spirits. And so, we may venture into places in Him where we have never before been. Also we may open doors within ourselves where we have never allowed Him to enter. Such a time with the Father can only result in the heights and depths of abundant life – life that none but the Spirit can bring. And nothing beyond the walls of this sanctuary can rise above the love we come to know there.
In the Holy Scriptures there can be found metaphors of all types. The tree is used several times, teaching us of various truths. But I feel the Lord has shown me of another truth that the tree can convey, making more clear the topic that I’ve brought to light. I believe that the tree speaks to us, not only of our relationship with the Father, but also with all of His children, and then the Spirit who empowers. Let’s begin with the trunk. The trunk of the tree is our holy place, who neither I nor anyone can describe while rendering it its due worth. It is here that we live out our personal union with the Most High, both in this life and the life that’s to come. But then there are relationships with the rest of the family of God to be considered – an offspring amazing and vast in number. Here is where the branches come in. And so, from the trunk the Spirit takes us outward and upward into a new and different and marvelous kind of light. Now the many offshoots of the Lord reach beyond where the eye can see, each with their own glory, their own place, and their own measure of celestial life, granted them by the Spirit. As we venture wherever we’re inclined, we give unto others from what the Father has bestowed upon us; a portion of us is implanted in them; we also receive from those who we have touched, so that our person likewise is added to. Thus the Spirit of Christ has caused us to bear fruit in one another, strengthening even more a divine kinship. This too is abundant life.
As fantastic as the relationships between all of God’s children will be, the truth is that it all goes back to the holy place. For it is here that we become bound together with the Bestower of every good gift. Here is where we meet with Him alone, where never another can enter. And as it goes in the inner chamber, so will it go when we leave there. If when with our heavenly Father, we draw near, so that He rains upon us great grace and goodness and glory, then it will be of this fullness that we will shower others – those who are among the thriving boughs of the tree He has planted. And so, it is all traced back to one’s most holy union with the Father.
In all of this, where in the tree would the Spirit be portrayed? The Spirit is the tree’s immortal roots, mightily administering all of the goodness of God – Life and Strength; Wonder and great Joy; Glory, Love, and Peace in all of their entirety.
Lastly there is the Son who walks ever with us through it all, loving us with the same love that drove Him to His cross. For it is He and no other, who standing before us becomes an open door to the King of all creation – the King who now becomes abba Father to all who have entered by way of the fallen, yet risen One; the mortal, now immortal; the onetime slaughtered Lamb, but the Lion reigns forever. He is the Way and we are the seekers. We are the sheep and He is our Shepherd. And through ages unending He will be the highly celebrated Christ and King among the innumerable branches in the Great Tree of Life.
- J.Pecoraro
