Truths About Fellowship and the Deeper Things of Christ
Text: Exodus 26
The Tabernacle in the wilderness was more than a portable place of worship—it was a profound revelation of eternal truths about Christ and the fellowship we are invited into with Him. As we reflect on Exodus 26, we’re invited to peel back the layers of linen, hides, and wooden frames and discover deep spiritual realities about God’s glory, grace, and our relationship with Him.
Curtains: The Hidden Glory of God
The very design of the Tabernacle reminds us of a hard truth:
The glory of God is hidden from all who are outside of Christ.
God is not found through human wisdom or religious striving but only through Christ. As Paul says,
“The world did not know God through wisdom, [but] God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached.” – 1 Corinthians 1:21
Outside the Tabernacle, one would only see rough goat and badger skins. But inside—ah, inside—there were fine linens of blue, purple, and scarlet, embroidered with golden cherubim. This inner glory was only visible to those who were within. So too, apart from being in Christ, no one can perceive the deeper glories of God.
A Beautiful Truth
In Christ, the hidden glory is now revealed.
The rich colors of the inner curtains symbolize different aspects of God’s nature:
- Blue: the heavens – God above all.
- Purple: royalty – God as King of all.
- Scarlet: blood – God as the source of life.
These curtains were fastened with golden hooks, pointing to Christ’s divinity, which holds all things together and reveals divine beauty. The outer layers—fastened with brass—speak of judgment, which conceals glory until we come to Christ. But once in Him,
“We behold the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
This is an invitation not to settle for surface-level religion but to gaze with unveiled face at the deeper realities of the gospel.
Boards and Bars: The Strength Beneath the Surface
We often think of strength in terms of what is visible. But God’s kingdom flips this idea.
The curtains, delicate and beautiful as they are, are held in place by solid boards, fixed in sockets, and joined with bars—a hidden architecture of stability. This teaches us that:
What appears weak on the outside may be undergirded by invincible strength.
Christ was “crucified in weakness, yet lives by the power of God” (2 Corinthians 13:4). The gospel may seem fragile or foolish to some, but its foundation is immovable and divine.
These boards and sockets were not set directly on the ground, reminding us that the dwelling of God with man is not earthly but grounded in the heavenly redemption found in Christ.
The Veil: The Promise of Full Fellowship
The veil of the Tabernacle represented the barrier between sinful man and a holy God. It was thick—four fingers wide—and beautifully woven with colors and golden cherubim, hinting at what lay beyond: the throne room of God.
But it also carried a freeing truth:
The veil has been torn.
“Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” – Mark 15:38
Through the blood of Christ, the veil is removed, and we are brought into the Holy of Holies. The separation is over.
“In Christ we stand within the veil.” – Hebrews 9:11–12
The veil that once blocked access to God has been taken away. If any veil remains, it lies not in Christ but over the heart that still resists Him.
A Living Truth: The Application
Ultimately, the Tabernacle calls us to a living reality:
Your life is now in Christ.
And in Christ, the glory of God is fully revealed and joyfully accessible.
Let this truth shape your highest pursuit:
“The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God, and the Church is famishing for want of His Presence.”
Let this truth fuel your deepest desire:
“To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love.” – A.W. Tozer
Whether in the ordinary moments or the miraculous ones, seek Him. He is both the hidden and revealed glory—the Curtain, the Board, the Bar, the Veil, and the very Tabernacle itself.
Conclusion
Exodus 26 is not merely an ancient architectural blueprint. It is a picture of Christ—His concealed glory, His revealed grace, and the strong, redeeming love that holds it all together. It invites you to dwell in Him, go deeper, and never stop beholding the beauty of the Lord.
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord…” – Psalm 27:4
Let your life reflect the sanctuary you now live in—rooted in Christ, radiating His glory.
Pastor Jason Lane 