The Ark (my heart) of the Covenant

Israel's sanctuary illustrates how our mental, physical, and spiritual dimensions interrelate. The court represents our body carrying out the choices of the will. The Holy Place is the realm of the mind, will and emotions - process thinking, choices, and feelings. This was separated from the most Holy Place by a veil. The court and Holy Place represent our outer man.

The Most Holy Place is the realm of the conscience, values and motives. This is the inner man. It is the "why" behind what we do. The Ark of the Covenant was in the Most Holy place. It represents our heart. The Mercy Seat over the Ark of the Covenant is clearly a throne. Someone is meant to reign there over our heart, the ark.

What was in the heart? The Law was there, the standard defining what we should do. Condensed to its simplest form that law is love. Aaron's rod was also there, representing the conscience. Lastly there was a jar of manna, representing our needs.

Let's look at this apart from anyone reigning on the throne accept ourselves. Who takes care of our needs? Well, we do of course. Many would dispute this, but when we are ultimately responsible for our needs being met, the result is a selfish perspective.

How does one with an egocentric or selfish perspective obey the law of love? They can't. What does the conscience say about that? Well it judges us when we don't do what's right. So what do we do? We justify ourselves as symbolized by the veil. This veil represents a separation between the Holy and Most Holy Place. There is a disconnect between our motives, and the mask we create for personal and public acceptance.

The law, defining what we should do, and the conscience, without the influence of grace (God reigning in love), creates a punitive, judgmental, and authoritarian moral atmosphere. This is the essence of the old covenant. This is the moral atmosphere in which most live if they have values yet fail to live under grace.

The problem is that we are born without the rightful ruler reigning over our hearts. However, if we make Jesus the Lord of our lives, things change. He alone can provide us with the security and love we need to be whole. He promises to provide for us. We can now let go of our need life and simply rest in His provision (symbolized by the manna). Sure, we have a part to play, but we can act that part resting safely in His care. Our selfish perspective is no longer necessary.

God's mercy and understanding need to reign over the conscience as well, creating a relational and merciful moral atmosphere. With Him reigning as a trusted friend, his law is seen as a gift of loving guidance. It no longer needs to function in a morally coercive role. Commands are no longer necessary.

When all of the issues of the heart take their appropriate place, under God, we can be honest with ourselves and others. The veil is rent. The glory of God's love shines forth from our heart. That love is reflected off the golden walls in the holy place and out into the court where it will touch others. Our lives are changed as we live under God's grace.

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