Wed,’s Devo - He is Risen!

Read: Exodus 37:1-38:31; Matthew 28:1-20; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 9:9-10 The ark of the Covenant was the most sacred of all the furniture in the tabernacle. It was the piece that housed the presence of the Lord. It was made of acacia wood and covered with gold. There were rings on the sides for slipping the poles in to carry it so that no human hand touched it. The top was called the mercy seat and sitting on it were two gold angels that knelt and spread their wings toward one another. This piece would sit in the Holy of Holies and only the priest would enter once a year. *** Outside the Holy of Holies was a room called the Holy Place. In it they put the altar of Incense, the table for the shewbread and the golden lamp stand. The table of shewbread was also made of acacia wood and covered with gold and had the gold rings for poles for carrying. It had a molding of gold all around it. Twelve loaves, one for each tribe were put on this table. It represented us dining with the Lord. *** The golden lamp stand was a menorah with seven branches. The branch in the middle was straight and there were three branches on each side. The branches had almond buds and flowers on them and a bowl at the top for the oil and wick. The seven bowls stood for the seven spirits of God. *** The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and covered with gold. A gold molding was made around it with horns on each corner. The incense that was burned here stood for the prayers of the saints that went up to heaven and were a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord. *** The altar for the burnt offering was made of acacia wood and covered with bronze. it was larger than the other furniture and had horns on the corners. A gutter-like piece ran halfway around it for the blood to run into and down the sides. It also had rings and poles for carrying. This altar stood for the cross of Christ who was our sacrificial lamb. *** The bronze laver was made of the mirrors of the women. It was to be filled with water and would serve to wash the blood from the hands of the priests after sacrificing. It stands for our baptism in water. *** The court was surrounded in a curtain that went all around the area the people would stand. The curtain was made of fine linen woven with blue, purple, and scarlet thread. *** The people gave greatly to the building of the tabernacle and a half shekel was given a piece for the redemption of each person. Everything was made according to God’s plan. *** The day after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb. There was a great earthquake when the angel came down and rolled back the stone from the door. It sat on the rock shining like white light. The guards shook and fell down like they were dead. The angel spoke to the women and told then not to be afraid. They said that Jesus was not here but had risen and they were to go and tell his disciples that he had risen and was going before them into Galilee where they would get to see him. *** Some the guards went to the chief priests and told them what had happened. They paid them a great sum of money not to tell anyone what they had seen, but to lie and say that Jesus’ disciples had come and stolen his body. They took the money and did what they said. *** Jesus met with his disciples and many more and told them that all authority had been given him in heaven and on earth. They were to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. They were to teach them to live like he did and he would be with them, even to the end of the age. *** Lord, You are the resurrection and the life! We honor you as our Lord and Saviour.