‘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).
Jeremiah prophesied of a coming day when the Ark, the symbol of God’s presence, would no longer be necessary. For in that day the real presence of God would be manifest among them by the coming of the Messiah. The prophecy pointed to a day when worship would no longer require physical symbols like the Ark to mediate God’s presence. It connects to the broader biblical theme that God’s ultimate plan is for worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24), not limited by physical objects or locations.
That day has come. For all the law, the Ark, and the Temple and its sacrifices were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is Immanuel, God with us. As John’s gospel proclaimed, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The Ark, and the tablets of the Mosaic Law that it contained, were only a shadow of the real presence that has been revealed in the Word made flesh, namely, Jesus Christ.
Therefore let us come to Jesus. For our faith is not dependent on religious rituals and relics, but on the real presence of God made known through a personal relationship with Jesus. By faith in Jesus, we are born again and indwelt with God’s Spirit, so that His real presence always abides within us. Jesus is our Ark.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed at how You have revealed Your purposes and plans to us. Your prophets foretold the day when the Ark would no longer be necessary because Your presence would be revealed fully in Christ. Strengthen us to take this Good News to all the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.