A Temple for Us.

In the month of August, many Jewish people observe the tragic time when the temple (s) in Jerusalem was destroyed…..not once but twice. Solomon, David’s son, built the first temple on property that his father, King David, had bought. Solomon built this temple on Mt. Moriah where Abraham was told to offer up his son, Isaac, but who was spared by God’s divine hand.  That first temple stood for nearly 400 years until the Babylonians in 586 B.C defeated Judiah and destroyed the magnificent temple.  The temple had become the center of Israel’s worship, the anchor of her religious zeal and the certainty of communion with God.

The Jewish people’s concept of being God’s chosen people and her awareness of that calling and purpose for her identity was directly connected to the temple. It was the knowledge that God resided within their midst, just as the tabernacle in the wilderness held the glory of God. It was people’s singular connection with the Lord himself.  With no temple there was no assurance of God’s presence or of His provision of forgiveness for their sins.  The destruction of the temple and the corresponding exile were the most devastating   judgments imaginable.  But just as God predicted the judgment, so He planned their restoration.

In 538 B.C. Zerubbabel and a host of Israelites returned to Jerusalem, freed by a decree of King Cyrus of Persia who had defeated the Babylonians.  The book of Ezra describes the restoration of this second temple.  Though the people encountered my difficulties the temple was now completed but it could hardly compare with the magnificent temple built by Solomon.  When the Romans occupied Jerusalem, centuries later, their appointed magistrate, King Herod, wanted to restore some of the grandeur of the former temple.  The western wall of that temple still stands today.  Jewish people call it the “Wailing Wall.”

Many of Jesus activities and some of his most controversial comments were recorded in an around that restored temple. One the most fascinating of these sayings are found in John 2:19-21.

       “Jesus answered and said to them, destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said………” it has taken forty six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body.”

Can you see what it meant for Jesus to identify Himself as the temple?  In this short statement He claimed to represent the very presence of God once evidenced in the Holy of Holies. He was the way of uniting the people with God himself. Jesus also made a more ominous prediction.  He spoke not only about this beautiful temple now in their midst, but also about His life as well.

Then Jesus took his disciples and showed them the great city of Jerusalem and told them. “Assuredly, I say to you not one stone shall be left here upon another that shall not be thrown down.”  (Matt 24:1, 2)

This prediction came true in 70 A.D. when Titus and the Roman soldiers destroyed the city and decimated the temple. Thousands realized that what He had spoken was true.  The temple was destroyed but His body was not and He was resurrected on the third day just as predicted.

The temple on earth was never intended to be a permanent fixture. It was a symbol of hope for those who longed for the presence of God, yet only one person could fulfill the role of being a “temple”.  Jesus himself embodies the presence of God.  When we unite with Him and His Holy Spirit resides in us, we enter into His Presence with joy and thanksgiving.  “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.” (Ps.100:4)

The day is coming when we believers will be gathered around the throne of God. There will be a New Heaven and New Earth and this world of death and decay will pass away.  That will be a time of great rejoicing for all who have been reconciled with God through Jesus.  All our questions will be answered and our bodies restored.  We will live in true, unbroken and everlasting communion with Him.