My Sanctuary Journey

By Craig Ashton Jr., December 9, 2023

I’ve been fascinated with the ancient portable sanctuary since my dad first read me and my siblings bedtime Bible stories when were young. As I got older, I wanted to learn more about the sanctuary (also known as the tabernacle), so I began creating models of it. According to the book of Exodus, God instructed Moses to build a sanctuary so He could dwell among the people (Exodus 25:8).

By design, the sanctuary is an experiential journey of ascent into the presence of God (Psalms 77:13; 122:1–2). Its increasing levels of holiness carry a profound spiritual lesson about making our way to God. The closer you get to the Most Holy Place, the fewer people you see. As you go further, you see less furniture until you reach the Most Holy Place, where you will find only the presence of God dwelling over the Ark of the Covenant.

As you move along this spiritual journey, you experience increasing finery and more ornate decorations—from brass to silver and gold and from white linens to colorful tapestries and artistically woven fabrics embroidered in golden threads. As you approach the Most Holy Place, God’s power and presence become more intense and the intimacy deeper. Some mistake this experience to be God’s judgment, viewing God as a hidden judge about to zap them, but you will realize that there is no need to be afraid, for we are just frail humans made from dust who are bearing the weightiness of His glory. As you approach the light, you will find that it strengthens you to embark on this journey and behold all things anew in the beauty of His holiness.

The way may seem narrow, difficult, and even risky. There are so many besetting sins that can encumber our journey, but God is there to remove every obstruction as we approach Him. It is true that this pilgrimage has proven fatal for some who have relied upon their own strength. Perhaps God’s glory is too beautiful and wonderful to behold now in our present state, but I think of Moses pressing into God’s presence while the others retreated because they misperceived God. As a weary pilgrim, you may find the journey hard, but God is there to help you reach your goal. If you listen, you can hear the voice calling you to “come” (Revelation 22:7).

I want to leave behind the things that so easily beset me and weigh me down (Hebrews 12:1). I want to ascend to the heights of God’s presence so I can discover new and deeper experiences. I refuse to accept the death, violence, and selfishness around me as the ultimate reality. I want to experience the glory and beauty of God’s self-renouncing love. His love starkly contrasts with the self-centeredness with which I am so familiar. As the book of Hebrews tells me, I draw near by grace alone. My pilgrimage is to see and experience God as He really is. The spiritual journey is about one thing: the wonderful presence of God.

Craig Ashton Jr.