The glorious temple
…“LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below…”
1 Kings 8:23 (NIV)
These words are the start of the dedication prayer King Solomon gave at the completion of the temple in Jerusalem. It was a high point in Israel’s history, with their kingdom enlarged under King David, and now at peace under Solomon. This temple was an amazing building that had taken seven years to build.
In 586 BC the temple was destroyed. Jesus visited its inferior replacement and exclaimed, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19). Of course, Jesus was referring to himself, which brings to mind some interesting contrasts:
The temple had priests to perform temple duties; now Jesus is our high priest (Hebrews 7:17).
The temple contained the ‘Holy of Holies’; in reality the Holy One is Jesus (Hebrews 7:26).
The temple contained the stone tablets of the covenant between God and the people; Jesus is the mediator of a new and better covenant (Hebrews 9:15).
Countless sacrifices were offered for the sins the people committed; Jesus came and offered the perfect sacrifice (himself) once for all (Hebrews 10:10).
Jesus is the spiritual temple, our high priest, the Holy One, our perfect sacrifice, and the mediator of the new and better covenant. Yet the Bible also speaks of each of us as being a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16), as well as being holy and being priests (1 Peter 2:9). We may see our own weaknesses and shortcomings, yet the truth is that while we were stumbling around, lost in our own sin, Jesus died for us (Ephesians 2:5). We have been raised with him, and we are now seated in the heavenly realms (v. 6).
This new reality is for everyone. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…’ (John 3:16). This changes how we view other people and how we interact with them. As grand as Solomon’s temple was, it’s nothing compared to the beauty and greatness of each individual person. That should really change how we treat one another.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, our temple, high priest and sacrifice, thank you that you saved us from the death we deserve and seated us with you in glory. Thank you that this is a reality for all people. Amen
Study by Anthony Dady
About the writer:
Anthony Dady is a Minister in Grace Communion International and is the Regional Pastor for Wales, the Midlands, and Northern England.
Local congregation:
GCI Northampton
Ecton Village Hall
78A High Street
Ecton
Northampton
NN6 0QB
Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am
Local congregational contact:
Gavin Henderson
Email: gavin.henderson@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church