April 8, 2014 They Made

They Made

Exodus 38

Ex 38:2-3 They made a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar were of one piece, and they overlaid the altar with bronze. 3 They made all its utensils of bronze — its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans.  

MANY words are used to describe Jesus’ church. Scripture declares it as “God’s people” and “body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12) and “the saints” (Romans 1:7). Another is, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

      Exodus 37 is certainly about a group of God’s people working together for the common good. The phrase “they made” threads its way through this scripture to form a tapestry of gifted craftsmen working cooperatively to form the utensils and furniture of God’s tabernacle.

      “They made” tells us the spirit of worship as they obediently worked in God’s will. There is no indication of arguing over control, what to use for the building or responsibilities. This is working to the glory of God.

      Yes, God’s glory is in this tabernacle. He has designed it to point to himself and to the future salvation through Jesus Christ. His people didn’t understand that, but they did understand, “God said make it.” So they made it.

      God has called the church to keep “making” that he would be glorified. He has designed a plan of salvation through the blood of his Savior that calls us to be the body of Christ, working together for the common good that the saints would proclaim the Gospel of salvation to the world.

      Wouldn’t it be good one day if someone writes the story of Jesus’ church by saying, “They made a difference.”

LIFE Link: God’s plan requires his church to make disciples of all nations.