And when you have multiplied and been fruitful in the land, in those days, declares the Lord, they shall no more say, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again. (Jeremiah 3:16 ESV)
No Need to Look Back
I remember the day I got my learners’ permit to drive. I was excited, glad, and it was SO necessary. But as good as it was, I would not want to go back.
I remember DeAnne and my first date. We were excited, glad, and it was SUCH a necessary beginning to our wonderful relationship. But as good as it was, I would not want to go back.
I remember the first guitar I owned. It was not quite plastic, and the strings would not stay tuned. But I did not care. I quickly learned how to play, “Greensleeves.” I was so excited, so glad, and I needed the guitar to get me started. But as good as it was, I would not want to go back.
The Ark of the Covenant was beautiful, symbolic, and powerful. But it was temporary. It existed to point the way to the Messiah. And when the Ark was being carried through the wilderness, in the tabernacle, and in the temple it was exciting. It made God’s people glad. And it was necessary.
But Jeremiah foretold the time we live in now. We no longer need the Ark because God’s presence, through Christ Jesus, is IN us. We no longer need the temple because God’s presence, through Christ Jesus, is IN us. We no longer need that Holy City. Because God’s people, through Christ Jesus, ARE the city of God.
There is more to come! We will be fully transformed into Christlike holiness. We will know fully God’s presence always. We will not endure any more effects of the old days.
But we do not have any need to look back with yearning. To admire the Ark-days. To wish for a return to the tabernacle, the temple, or those wonderful things that only existed to aim folk forward to what we already now have!
Because we have Jesus, Himself! Not a mere (but absolute) Jesus promised.