The Glorious Temple
On the occasion of the completion of the temple in Jerusalem, King Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven and said, "Lord God of Israel, there is no god like you, either in heaven above or on earth below "You who keep the covenant and show mercy to your servants who walk before you with all your heart" (1. Kings 8,22-23
A high point in Israel's history was when the kingdom expanded under King David and peace reigned in Solomon's time. The temple, which took seven years to build, was an impressive building. But in 586 B.C. It was destroyed in BC. Later, when Jesus visited the next temple, he cried out, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2,19). Jesus was referring to himself, which opened up interesting parallels:
- In the temple there were priests who performed the service. Today Jesus is our High Priest: "For it is testified, 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek'" (Hebrews 7,17).
- While the Temple contained the Holy of Holies, Jesus is the true Holy One: "For we also had to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and higher than the heavens" (Hebrews 7,26).
- The temple preserved the stone tablets of the covenant between God and man, but Jesus is the mediator of a new and better covenant: "And therefore he is also the mediator of the new covenant, that through his death, which was for redemption from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called receive the promised eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9,15).
- In the temple, countless sacrifices were offered for sins, while Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice (himself) once: "According to this will we are sanctified once for all through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ" (Hebrews 10,10).
Jesus is not only our spiritual temple, High Priest, and perfect sacrifice, but also the mediator of the new covenant. The Bible further teaches us that each of us is a temple of the Holy Spirit: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."1. Petrus 2,9).
All Christians who have accepted Jesus' sacrifice are holy in him: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1. Corinthians 3,16).
Even though we recognize our own weaknesses, Jesus died for us while we were still lost in sins: "But God, who is rich in mercy, by the great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead were in sin, made alive with Christ - by grace you are saved" (Ephesians 2,4-5).
We were raised with him and now sit spiritually in heaven with Christ Jesus: "He raised us up with him and appointed us with him in heaven in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2,4-6).
Everyone should recognize this truth: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3,16).
As impressive as Solomon's Temple was, it cannot be compared to the beauty and uniqueness of every human being. Recognize the value you possess in God's eyes. This knowledge gives you hope and confidence because you are unique and loved by God.
by Anthony Dady
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