A Theological Interlude

[Editor's Note: Ben is writing this post in the midst of preparation to take his final exam in Soteriology]

As I've been reading several classics of American theology (Redemption Accomplished & Applied by John Murray and AA Hodge's treatise on the Confession of Faith), I've been struck by two observations these men make regarding Christ's Work and it's relationship to us, His people.

First, there is the discussion of how the coming of Jesus Christ changes our worship. As an introduction and in order to understand how Jesus changes our worship, let's review quickly what worship was like before Christ:
In the Old Testament the saints participated in the sacrificial system. This system consisted of ornate buildings (first the tabernacle, then the temple), intricate decor (a golden lampstand, tables, lavers, basins, and altars), attractive smells (fresh bread and incense), grand music (remember the priests ordained to play & sing), and of course the vivid imagery of the sacrifice - large animals (bulls, rams) being sacrificed by the white-robed priest. All of this was one elaborate, yet singular foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. It was intended to help the OT believer understand the beauty, the perfection, and the glory of Jesus Each of these elements of OT worship was a dim, shadowy picture of Christ, which when seen together helped to build the faith & understanding of the OT saint.
Now, with that foundation, we come to the New Testament, and especially to the book of Hebrews - the book that best expounds the transition from the Old Testament dispensation to the New Covenant in Jesus Christ. The author introduces this book by showing us the glory of Jesus Christ:

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had make purifications of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Heb. 1:1-3 (NAS)

In this passage the writer to the Hebrews introduces Jesus as "the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature." Remember that the OT saints were limited from seeing the full glory - it was veiled (both literally and figuratively): they were seeing dimly as through a mirror (II Cor. 3:14ff). Now in the New Covenant, we have Jesus Christ - we have the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature. This is why we worship in simple buildings with a podium for the preaching of the word: not because we are less concerned with art and beauty, but because we have more in Jesus Christ. The forms and symbols and grandeur of the OT worship was pointing ahead to Jesus Christ - it foreshadowed His coming glory. But we have Jesus Christ in all His radiant glory with us in worship. We keep our buildings simple so that we aren't distracted from the true glory, so that we can't settle for enjoying the surroundings, but we must rely on finding our joy and satisfaction in meeting with our Lord.

I was challenged by this passage, especially as I prepared for the Lord's Supper this evening, which we celebrated in a small concrete building with lumber (2x4 and plywood) pews, a small podium, and no artwork to be found. Yet this is a congregation in which the Spirit of Jesus Christ is present and active. We enjoy this worship because we enjoy being in the presence of our Savior, and usually we don't even notice the simple surroundings.

So may we all find more joy in meeting with the Lord of Glory, than in the audible and visible glory of our surroundings - and may this be the case not only in our church buildings, but in our homes as well. Amen.

PS: I'll try to post about the other interesting thought later this week, for now though, I'm out of time.