Seeing the finished work in the Bible

With the benefit of the empty cross and only the empty cross, the believer can unpack with the help of the Holy Spirit, the contents of the Bible. This is like going 'back to the future'. It is like unpacking the details of the cosmic battle while knowing the outcome of that battle in advance. From Genesis to Revelations, every event, every detail regarding places, people and accounts will point toward or reflect what Christ has done by way of restoring relationship between Father God and humanity.


The first question that God asked Adam and Eve after the fall was "where are you?" The question had a relational context. He was asking 'where are you in relation to Me?' The first sign of heaven's plan to restore what was broken was the act of God when He killed an animal and clothed Adam and Eve before they were sent away from the garden. Here was the expression of His plan to provide cover for sinners all the way to the cross. The first sacrifice was initiated by the Father for the first Adam. The last sacrifice ever required to satisfy a holy and just God would be performed by His only Son, the last Adam at Calvary.


Everything in between these offerings would point toward both the intent and fulfilment of heaven's plan to fix what was broken between humanity and God. For example, even the items of furniture that were prescribed for the tabernacle (the meeting place between God and man) would serve the ultimate purpose of providing the way forward until the "new and living way" could be accessed through Jesus Christ.


The Ark of the Covenant symbolised the way forward. Inside this wooden box (speaking of humanity), covered with gold (speaking of divinity) were three objects. Each object showed up Israel's (and humanity's failings). Aaron's rod was a reminder of her rebellion toward God's authority. The pot of manna was a reminder of her ingratitude toward the provision of God. The stone tablets were a reminder of her rebellion against God's standards. These three objects were reminders of the things that we too find most hard to trust God for - instruction, provision and leadership. But when we see the finished work of Christ we see how He invaded the box by His death and resurrection. He met all the requirements of the law. He is our bread of life. He submitted to His Father's authority. Today the person who identifies with His death and resurrection is delivered from both the power and the penalty of sin. This is because the last Adam's blood covers the sinner forever, unlike the blood of an animal that was poured over the ark. Its effectiveness was but for one year and had to be repeated again and again. The blood of Jesus however, has opened "the new and living way which He consecrated for us..." (Heb.10:19)


Put another way, God in not put off by what is inside the 'box' of the believer because He sees the blood of His Son over the 'box'. He doesn't 'see' our shortfall; He sees what His Son has done for all time. The elements of the Ark of the Covenant pointed all the way to the Son. When we look through the empty cross we will even see the significance of a piece of furniture!