Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, October 15, 2017

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-10-15-2017

This is devotional thought number 32 in our devotional series, “Removing the Veil: Sanctuary Living in the 21st Century.” Our subject is: The Color of Love

Here’s the question for consideration: Could there be a message in the colors of the sanctuary?

“Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.” (Exodus 26:1).

Blue. Purple. Scarlet. Linen. Interesting!

If you haven’t realized it by now, let me underscore the fact that God does everything by design. He is not random or arbitrary. All that He does matters, and all that matters has a message for His people. Are you ready for this?

Our theme text shows a few very important colors and one material that deliver a message to those willing to hear it. Let’s start with a basic principle first. Throughout the sanctuary system, the many colors and precious materials represented the righteousness of Christ. In Joseph’s story, we see a coat of many colors. Even though Joseph’s brothers stripped it off his back before they sold him into slavery, they could not strip his character. Even though the wicked whore, Mrs. Potiphar stripped his cloak as he fled the scene of her whoredom, she could not strip his character, which was fashioned after the image of his God. The Bible says that Lucifer was covered in an array of jewels and colors before he succumbed to pride and self-worship. “You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone covered you: carnelian, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold; they were prepared on the day you were created. You were an anointed guardian cherub, for I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you. Through the abundance of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I expelled you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and banished you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud because of your beauty; For the sake of your splendor you corrupted your wisdom. So I threw you down to the earth; I made you a spectacle before kings.” (Ezekiel 28:13–17, HCSB). Notice what the Bible says about linen: “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Revelation 19:8). Now, lets tie a quick bow on these elements and move to the next principle. “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, And as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth Before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:10–11). Got it.

Now, let’s take a quick peek at the colors, shall we? We have blue, scarlet/crimson/red, and purple. If we read further, gold also becomes prominent, but let’s just stick with these today. Red represents the blood that Jesus shed for us. He gave His life, so we could keep ours, if we keep faith in Him. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they...