In Psalm 43, What Does It Mean to Go to the Altar of God？
John Piper explains that going to the altar of God in Psalm 43 symbolizes approaching Christ, the ultimate sacrifice and high priest, where believers find forgiveness and restoration.
This sermon focuses on the journey towards God's holy dwelling, specifically the altar of God, where sacrifices were made for sinners. The speaker emphasizes the significance of the cross in Christianity, where Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice and high priest for our sins, highlighting the need for forgiveness and closeness to God.
Full Transcript
He goes or he asks God to bring him to God's holy dwelling. That light and that truth that comes is going to lead him to God's holy dwelling, the sanctuary, the altar of God. Let's read that.
Middle of verse 3, this is light and truth, "'Let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God.'" Amazing. He knows where he needs to go, and he's praying for light and truth to dawn so that he gets there, namely, first in general the sanctuary, and then very specifically one part of the sanctuary, the altar.
Altar. What happens at the altar? Animals are killed at the altar and offered to God for sinners who come to the altar. And so from our standpoint, on this side of the cross, you cannot not read this psalm without as a Christian saying, "'Take me to the cross, lead me to the cross, let your light and your truth come, and may they lead me to the sanctuary, to the cross, to the high priest, to the sacrifice, Jesus, because there my sins will be covered.'" It's not a good thing to feel distant from God when He's not distant from you.
We need forgiveness for that and many other things in our lives. So this side of the cross, we know what that kind of prayer means. Hebrews 13.10, we have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.
In other words, Christians now know that Jesus Christ has become the altar, He's become the high priest, He's become the sacrifice, so that when we read, "'I will go to the altar of God,' that means, "'I will go to Christ, my altar, my sacrifice, my high priest, and I will find there forgiveness.'"
Sermon Outline
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I
- The psalmist’s prayer for light and truth
- The desire to be led to God’s holy dwelling
- The significance of the altar in the sanctuary
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II
- The altar as place of sacrifice for sinners
- The Old Testament practice of animal sacrifices
- The altar’s meaning in light of Christ’s sacrifice
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III
- Christ as the ultimate altar, high priest, and sacrifice
- The believer’s access to forgiveness through Jesus
- The importance of approaching the cross confidently
Key Quotes
“He knows where he needs to go, and he's praying for light and truth to dawn so that he gets there, namely, first in general the sanctuary, and then very specifically one part of the sanctuary, the altar.” — John Piper
“From our standpoint, on this side of the cross, you cannot not read this psalm without as a Christian saying, 'Take me to the cross, lead me to the cross, let your light and your truth come, and may they lead me to the sanctuary, to the cross, to the high priest, to the sacrifice, Jesus, because there my sins will be covered.'” — John Piper
“Christ has become the altar, He's become the high priest, He's become the sacrifice, so that when we read, 'I will go to the altar of God,' that means, 'I will go to Christ, my altar, my sacrifice, my high priest, and I will find there forgiveness.'” — John Piper
Application Points
- Pray for God’s light and truth to guide you closer to Christ daily.
- Approach the cross with confidence, knowing it is the place of forgiveness.
- Remember that feeling distant from God calls for repentance and seeking His presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the altar represent in Psalm 43?
The altar represents the place of sacrifice where sinners come to seek forgiveness, ultimately fulfilled in Christ’s sacrifice.
Why does John Piper emphasize light and truth?
Light and truth are prayed for as guiding forces that lead believers to God’s sanctuary and ultimately to Christ.
How does this psalm relate to the New Testament?
It points forward to Christ as the high priest and perfect sacrifice who replaces the Old Testament altar sacrifices.
What is the significance of Hebrews 13:10 in this sermon?
Hebrews 13:10 explains that Christians have a new altar in Christ, emphasizing the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system.
How should believers respond to feeling distant from God?
Believers should seek forgiveness and be led by God’s light and truth to the cross where their sins are covered.