Sanctuary

You hear the word “sanctuary” a lot these days. It’s all over the news. Politicians talk about “sanctuary states” and “sanctuary cities” in regards to illegal aliens. Other politicians talk about “sanctuary cities” for unborn babies; some 43 cities have outlawed abortions to that end. There are even 1,200 “Second Amendment sanctuary” cities and counties that have voted not to enforce restrictive gun laws.

Obviously, the term “sanctuary” strikes a chord deep in people’s hearts and minds. The idea and practice of providing a safe space for certain people or practices appeals to many of us. Who doesn’t want to be shielded and safe somewhere? I remember as a kid playing “ditch” in our neighborhood. The person who was “it” would yell, “Ditch!” and the rest of us, maybe 20 or so, would scatter and hide. “It” would come looking for us, but if we could make it back to the starting point without being tagged, we would be safe. We called that safe place, “goal” (but we all pronounced it like “ghoul”!). That goal was, in a sense, our sanctuary.

The idea of a safe place to run to actually goes back to the Old Testament. God gave instructions to the Israelites to set aside certain cities for the tribe of Levi, who did not otherwise receive large territories like the other tribes. Then he told them that six of those cities were to be “cities of refuge” to which a person accused of killing someone could flee. That man would be safe there from retribution until his case was heard. If he were found guilty of murder, he would be turned over to the dead person’s avenger; but if the death were ruled an accident, he could live in the city and be safe. The conditions for such a refuge are found in Numbers 35:6-34.

In the modern world, national borders often provide such places of refuge, whether Jews fleeing Nazi Germany, Ukrainians fleeing to Poland, Chinese fleeing to Taiwan, or Venezuelans coming to the U.S. It’s good to have such options when political oppression or other conditions make our old home unsafe.

But why do we call such safe places “sanctuaries”? We take the term from the Latin term, “sanctum,” which means “holy place” or “sacred place.” It is used in the Latin Bible (the Vulgate) to refer to the “holy” area of the Temple, where the priests served God. In addition, the word is used to refer to the innermost area of the Temple, called the Sanctum Sanctorum, or the “Holy of Holies,” where only the high priest could enter once a year.

An example from the Old Testament which refers to the sanctuary is Psalm 134:2 which says, “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”

The New Testament continues the use of the word sanctuary, using it just five times in relation to the Jerusalem Temple (Matthew and Luke) and to the heavenly Temple (Revelation). But now that the earthly Temple has been destroyed, Christians have applied the term to the area of a church building set aside for worship. Just as the Israelites and Jews met God’s presence and worshiped him in a physical location so Christians gather to worship God, hear his word, and receive his sacraments in a special place set aside for that purpose – even though we know that God cannot be housed in a building (Acts 7:44-50).

There’s a big difference between the old Temple and a church building. For one thing, the Bible tells us that it is Christians, not buildings, that are the new Temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 2:4-6 says we “like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house.” The temple had a great curtain which divided the “Holy place” from the “Holy of Holies.” But when Christ died, the curtain was torn in two, signifying the opening up of access to God by his sacrifice. No longer are we barred from approaching God in person. The third great difference is in the area of sacrifices. Until Christ, the priests were continually offering animal sacrifices to atone for sin; but Christ offered himself up as the final sacrifice, once and for all (Hebrews 10:1-12). And finally, instead of there being a cadre of priests in the Temple, now we are all priests, not needing anyone besides Christ himself to mediate between God and us (1 Peter 2:5,9).

Even with the New Testament teachings about God’s new Temple and priesthood, the use of the term “sanctuary” is still appropriate when referring to a church’s worship area. It is where we go to deliberately worship God, hear God’s Word, and receive the sacraments. It is where our focus is on God, and where we have fellowship with other believers, encouraging each other in the faith. It is not only a symbol of our faith, it is also a place where we receive the grace our faith promises. And at times, sanctuaries have actually offered a refuge from harm, from attackers who respected God and did not want to violate his sacred places.

So, how should we understand and treat our church sanctuaries today?

1. Recognize that because we are all priests and God is everywhere, we can worship him anywhere – in a church building, at a campground, in a stadium, in our home.
2. Recognize that some places are more conducive to worship. When a church sets aside a place dedicated to worship, people enter it with hearts and minds prepared to meet God in his Word and Sacrament. Symbols of our faith are evident -such as crosses, altars, and baptismal fonts. On the other hand, trying to worship in a grocery store or rock concert is a little harder.
3. Treat the sanctuary space reverently, respecting the other worshipers and focusing our attention on Jesus Christ. Refrain from running, gossiping, or angry speech.
4. Respect the space even when not worshiping. The Bible speaks of things that are common and those that are sacred. The sanctuary is not sacred in and of itself, but as a space set aside for God’s purposes, it becomes holy.
5. Respect the sanctuary as a place of refuge, where Christians, and those seeking God, can come and feel safe from the evils of the world. The sanctuary should be a place without prejudices, gossip, social class, feuds, anger and insults. Everyone who enters should feel safe, regardless of who they are or what they’ve done. All our pettiness and disputes should be left outside, never to taint the sanctuary with sin.
6. We should enter having prepared to meet God. We are to examine ourselves before receiving communion (1 Corinthians 11:28) and settle disputes with others before leaving our offering at the altar (Matthew 5:22-24). We come ready to confess our sins and be forgiven as only Christ can do.
7. Sing praises to God! “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord! (Psalm 134:2); “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!” (Psalm 100); “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16); “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.” (Psalm 33:3). God is worthy of all our praise, and it is good to give him the honor he is due.
8. And finally, Go there. When you skip church for no good reason, are you telling others – and God – that worshiping him is not important? Are you such a spiritual giant that you don’t need to receive continuous grace from the Lord? Do you not care about your brothers and sisters that they be encouraged by your presence and service? There’s a reason the writer of Hebrews told us, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

I hope the next time you hear someone in the news talking about sanctuaries, you think on the special places of refuge, hope, and blessing which our churches provide, and recommit to meeting there with your fellow Christians to worship and fellowship joyfully.

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.

Read: Psalm 100; Hebrews 10