John 2: 18-22
Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this? Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." The Jews replied, "It takes forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" But the temple he was spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
The temple is a very important place for the Jews, because they know this is the place where God is with them. Even though the salvation of Jesus Christ had not been accomplished in the days of the Old Testament, man could not come to God because of his sins. But because of God's mercy, He was willing to have fellowship with man in this particular place. God, therefore, instructed Moses to build a tabernacle where man and God could meet. Man could pray to God for his needs, and God would then answer his prayers.
In the days of King Solomon, God also instructed the King to build His temple.
Similarly, this temple is the place where God and man could meet. In those days, if a child asked his parents, " Parents, when we see enemies surrounding us trying to conquer our city of Jerusalem, I am really scared. Where is the God you believe in ?" At this moment, his parents would point to Mount Zion and replied, "Do you see Mount Zion , a place filled with glory? This is where God is."
History tells us, God's temple was ultimately destroyed, but this does not mean God's desire had stopped there. In reality, God's desire was manifested in the salvation of Jesus Christ through which the fellowship between God and man was restored. So, Jesus clearly explained here that the real temple is the body of Christ. The Bible also clearly tells us that the body of Christ is His church, which consists of every believer. In other word, in Christ we have become the dwelling place for Holy Spirit, and each one of us is a temple!
This is the truth presented by Jesus Christ, but it was difficult for the Jews at that time to understand. It was only later that the disciples of Jesus came to realize what Jesus had told them was really truth! Real temple resides in our hearts. If you child asks, " Mom and Dad, when I see the attacks by the terrorists, and the atrocities happened in our schools, I am really scared. Where is the God you believe in? Are you ready to answer, " My child, look at us, God is living in us!" Hallelujah! God is truly our Lord who lives within us. We are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and God wants His glory to be manifested through us.
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord, we thank you because of you, we are the temples of your Holy Spirit. We pray that we are able to live out this truth, and because of your presence, we would have strength and wisdom to live out your glory everyday of our lives! With thanksgiving we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!
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