Sat.’s Devo - Setting Up the Tabernacle

Read: Exodus 39:1-40:38; Mark 1:1-28; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 9:11-12 The craftsmen led by Bezalel made the garments for the high priests, Aaron’s sons and the priests just like the Lord had shown Moses. Moses inspected them and blessed them. *** Moses set up the tabernacle on the first day of the new year - Nissan One. He set it up from the inside out. The Ark of the Covenant was the first thing set in place because without the Lord, none of the rest mattered. Then, the curtain was put around it. Next, all the furniture for the Holy Place: the incense altar, the table of shewbread, and the menorah. The curtain was placed around it. Next, the laver and the bronze altar and all the things around it were brought and put in place. Last of all the curtain was set up around the courtyard. *** All the furniture was anointed with oil and Aaron and his sons were brought to the entrance of the tabernacle. Moses put the sacred robes and sashes, etc. on them and anointed them. Aaron and his sons were set apart for the priesthood forever. *** When Moses set the curtain at the entrance of the tabernacle and had finished his work, the presence of the Lord filled the tabernacle. The people didn’t leave until the cloud of God’s glory had lifted. It hovered over the Tabernacle during the day and at night it glowed with fire. *** Today we start the book of Mark. Mark was written to the Romans and it highlights how Jesus is the Servant. How ironic because the Romans were the masters. Mark was represented by the Ox the burden-bearer, hard-worker. Matthew had been written to the Jews. Jesus was represented by the Lion and highlighted how Jesus was the King. *** It is believed that Mark wrote his book between the time Peter was killed A.D. 67 and before the Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70. Nero had accused the Jews of setting Rome on fire giving him an excuse to persecute them. *** Since Mark was writing to the Romans who were in power, he begins his book validating the authority of the characters. John was validated by the prophets who predicted his coming on the scene. John came baptizing people with repentance for their sins. But he pointed them to one would come after him and who had more authority and power than he. *** When Jesus arrived, John baptized him and heaven validated Jesus with a dove coming down from heaven and a voice that said, “you are My beloved Son, in whom I am well please.” *** Jesus was then led into the wilderness to fight the devil who had authority in the earth. Jesus won. When John the Baptist was thrown in prison, Jesus continued his ministry announcing the kingdom of God. *** Jesus chose fishermen to be his followers and told them that they would now fish for men. He chose two sets of brothers: Peter and Andrew; James and John - all fishermen. *** To further prove his authority, Jesus went into the synagogue and began teaching and the people were amazed because he taught like he knew what he was talking about. He was confronted by an unclean spirit in a man in the synagogue. That was where most of the evil spirits were. LOL! The evil spirit knew who Jesus was. Jesus stopped him from speaking and cast him out. Jesus was famous after this. *** Mark was trying to establish authority and validate Jesus to a group of people who thought they were in control. No different for us who come to Christ thinking we were in control of our lives only to find that we need Christ. We learn that he is much more powerful than us. Everyone needs a Saviour. *** Lord, thank you for being a just, honest, faithful, kind and loving savior. Thank you for being our Lord and King.