Text: Exodus 25:10-16

Introduction.

- The Ark symbolized the presence of God among His people.
- Joshua 4: 10 When they were crossing the Jordan, the Ark stayed in the middle of the river.
- Joshua 6:6 The Ark was carried seven times around Jericho.
- Inside the Ark were the stone tablets with the 10 commandments ,a jar containing manna and Aaron's staff. Hebrews 9:4.
- Exodus 25:10 tells us the Ark's dimensions.
- Numbers 3:29-31 informs us that the Kohathite clans were responsible for the care of the Ark.
- It's interesting to see that the Egyptians and the Greeks had their arks as well,where they kept their idols.
- I Kings informs us the Ark was put in the temple built by Solomon. 
- II Chronicles 35:3 We find the last reference to the Ark.

A) The Ark in the Old Testament.

- Joshua 3:3-4. They should keep a distance of 900 m from the Ark.
- II Samuel 6:6-7 Uzzah touched the Ark and died.

B) Jesus in the New Testament.

-In the OT the Ark represented God among His people.
- In the NT Jesus is God among His people. Matthew 1:23
- What is this new relationship like?

Illustrations:

a) Matthew 14:34-36. Jesus in Gennesaret.Everybody could touch Him.
b) Mark 5:30. The woman could touch Jesus.
c) Mark 10:13-16 Jesus takes the children into his arms.
d) Romans 8:15 Abba means more than father,it means dear father.

Conclusion

- Let's go back to what was inside the Ark in the OT.
- The stone tablets with the 10 commandments written on them.
- The jar containing manna from the desert.
- Aaron's staff that sprouted leaves.
- Comparing these elements to Jesus' life:
- Jesus fulfilled all the 10 commandments. II Corinthians 5:21
- Jesus is the bread who came down from Heaven. John 6:32.
- Jesus is the fruitful vine. John 15:1 (See Numbers 17 )
- Jesus is God Himself, coming to this world to save us.
- John 14:6 (way) and Colossians 2:6 (walk)a
- He is much more than a wooden Ark.

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