Advent- December 17

Today, Light your first, second and third candle on your advent wreath. This candle is the Shepherd’s candle. Take some time to review this past week’s devotions.

This week we will be looking at what it means that Jesus is “Immanuel (or Emmanuel), “God with us.”

Listen: What Child is This

Adults:

Recently, I taught on the Gospel of John. I discovered a fascinating thing- the layout of John echoed the layout of the Mosaic Temple, but in reverse. Where only the priests were allowed entrance into the Holy Place and none except the High Priest on only one day a year could enter the Most Holy Place, Jesus came as our Great High Priest and gathered us like sheep into His heart and took us back into the Most Holy Place through His broken body.

Here is the layout of John:

From Chapters 1-12, Jesus came out from the bosom of the Father to gather His lost sheep.

• The Holy of Holies- (Ch 1:1-13-) He is in the beginning.

• The Veil - (Ch 1:14-17)- He is the Word became flesh.

• The Altar of Incense- (Ch 1:18)- Jesus came out of the bosom of the Father.

• The Shewbread- (Ch 6) - “I am the bread of life.”

• The Candlestick- (Ch 8)- “I am the light of the world.”

• The Laver- (Ch 9)- Jesus heals a blind man who bathes in a pool of Siloam.

• The Brazen Altar- (Ch 12) “If I be lifted up, I will draw all (men) unto me.” ( signifies His death)

From Chapters 13-21, Jesus takes His gathered sheep back to the Father.

• The Laver- (Ch 13:10) - Jesus washes disciples’ feet.

• The Shewbread (Ch 13:18)-Lord’s Supper/ Disciple leans on the bosom of Jesus.

• The Candlestick (Ch 14)-Holy Spirit (represents the Candlestick- Isaiah 11).

• The Altar of Incense- (Ch 17)- High priestly prayer.

• The Veil- ( Ch 19 )- His flesh is torn.

• The Holy of Holies -(Ch 20)- He is the Risen Lord; now we have security and confidence to come boldly to the throne room of Grace.

For further reading on this: Behold Jesus in the Tabernacle