In Exodus 28:2, God says, “And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.” The ancient tabernacle and temple was in fact designed to tell a story of man’s separation from God and from Eden, God’s original intended place of beauty, glory and intimacy with God. It was about God’s plan for salvation and restoration into that place of glory and intimacy.
The New Testament declares that we, those who belong to Jesus, are now that temple, that dwelling place of God that tells of His beauty and glory, of our restoration into joyous relationship with Him.
On a recent trip to the UK, Dave and Caroline visited a church and a chapel that brilliantly illustrated how beauty can draw us into an encounter with God. The Church, that is, God’s people (not the literal building), as God’s true temple are, as Apostle Peter wrote, “like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. … But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession (treasure), that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:5,9)
What was amazing about the chapel was that as you looked closely at the glass, each piece was quite rough, sharp edged even (like so many of us, if we’re honest!), but when arranged together by the designed the effect was stunningly beautiful. It really did draw you into a place of adoration, worship and prayer. It is true of us also – chosen by God, being built together into something beautiful that declares His glory and draws others to Him.
In Him, we are designed and anointed “for beauty and for glory.”
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