A thought hit me recently. Are there sacred places? That is, are there certain places that are different from other places, at least for a time, because God does something there? It seems clear to me that there are such places, and the Bible has examples of them.
The first example that came to mind is that place where Jacob had his dream about a ladder reaching from earth to heaven (Genesis 28). When he woke up Jacob understood that that place was different, special, holy. That's why he said, 'How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.' The imagery of a ladder in Jacob's dream is important. It clarifies why that place was holy. Heaven and earth touched right there by means of that ladder.
Another example would be Jerusalem because God 'put his name and make his habitation there' (Deuteronomy 12.5). Jerusalem was where God lived. As a result, this is labelled as a holy city, that is, a sacred place. 'As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.' (Psalm 2.6) Once again, we see heaven and earth touching.
Here is one more example of a sacred place: the Transfiguration. This is when Jesus is transformed in the presence of Peter, James and John on some mountain. In his second letter Peter calls this a 'holy mountain'. And why does it become holy? It's because at that moment heaven and earth touch. We know this not just because Moses and Elijah show up. More importantly, it's because the Father is there. He arrives in the cloud, and He speaks to those three disciples. And then, the moment passes. Moses and Elijah disappear. The Father is no longer there. And the mountain is just a mountain again. But for a brief time heaven and earth touched.
Looking at the theme of sacred places in the Scriptures raises important questions. Here is one of them. Are there sacred places today? I really do think so. Each Sunday when the church gathers for worship an ordinary room becomes a sacred place. And while Moses and Elijah may not show up, the Father does and He speaks. That's why Hebrews tells us: 'But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect...' Each Sunday, for a brief time, heaven and earth touch.
All of this comes together for me in terms of Sunday worship. Once God utters His call to worship, His invitation to meet with Him, heaven and earth touch. That room becomes a holy space, a sacred place. This has much to say about what our worship is: a holy meeting with God.
The first example that came to mind is that place where Jacob had his dream about a ladder reaching from earth to heaven (Genesis 28). When he woke up Jacob understood that that place was different, special, holy. That's why he said, 'How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.' The imagery of a ladder in Jacob's dream is important. It clarifies why that place was holy. Heaven and earth touched right there by means of that ladder.
Another example would be Jerusalem because God 'put his name and make his habitation there' (Deuteronomy 12.5). Jerusalem was where God lived. As a result, this is labelled as a holy city, that is, a sacred place. 'As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.' (Psalm 2.6) Once again, we see heaven and earth touching.
Here is one more example of a sacred place: the Transfiguration. This is when Jesus is transformed in the presence of Peter, James and John on some mountain. In his second letter Peter calls this a 'holy mountain'. And why does it become holy? It's because at that moment heaven and earth touch. We know this not just because Moses and Elijah show up. More importantly, it's because the Father is there. He arrives in the cloud, and He speaks to those three disciples. And then, the moment passes. Moses and Elijah disappear. The Father is no longer there. And the mountain is just a mountain again. But for a brief time heaven and earth touched.
Looking at the theme of sacred places in the Scriptures raises important questions. Here is one of them. Are there sacred places today? I really do think so. Each Sunday when the church gathers for worship an ordinary room becomes a sacred place. And while Moses and Elijah may not show up, the Father does and He speaks. That's why Hebrews tells us: 'But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect...' Each Sunday, for a brief time, heaven and earth touch.
All of this comes together for me in terms of Sunday worship. Once God utters His call to worship, His invitation to meet with Him, heaven and earth touch. That room becomes a holy space, a sacred place. This has much to say about what our worship is: a holy meeting with God.