… ³ Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies …

The tabernacle was so structured to be a progression toward the holy. A person would enter the outer courtyard, and then proceed through the first veil, or curtain, into the Holy Place. Then, only a high priest, and that only once a year, would enter the Most Holy Place (also called “The Holy of Holies”). This was considered the most holy place on earth, the very place where God’s people could approach Him through the intercession of the high priest with the blood of the sacrificial animal of atonement. No one else dared enter that sacred place except the high priest, and that high priest dared not enter except at the appointed time each year.

It was at this place, behind the second curtain that sins were atoned for. Of course, it was only the Jews who believed that, as the Samaritan woman observed, “Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship” (John 4:20). Jesus’ response was startling not only to the woman, but would have been also to any Jew, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father … But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:21, 23–24).

While the old covenant still stood, the place of worship was essential. But, now that Christ is here, it is the manner of worship that is more important, and the geographic location rendered non-essential. Worship is not primarily an outward act, but a movement of the heart. Today many Christians still confuse this. Typically worship is confined to the expression of music. We speak of “worship music” or the worship service being the musical part of church on a Sunday morning. Music and singing can be an outward expression of worship, but doing that outwardly without the right heart attitude is no more worship than walking into the tabernacle and just going through the motions.

There are other ways to worship besides singing. Praying can be an expression of worship, quiet contemplation as well. Even simply bowing the head can be an act of worship (Gen 40:31). But for the Jews, worship was prescribed by the Law, and was to be focused on the outward essentials, the tabernacle locus was fundamental. That symbol was to remain until Christ came.

Lord, I bow my heart in worship to You. Coming to You places me on holy ground. Teach me to worship You better.