When we give our lives to Jesus, we become a temple for the indwelling of the God of the universe. We can come to God alone in prayer and receive his strength, love and Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3:16
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
1 Corinthians 6:20
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19
Jesus called his body a temple. God, his father, filled him. He said, "Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works." John 14:10
What was the purpose and use of the ancient temple?
1. It was a dwelling place for God; he himself came down and entered the Most Holy Place at Sinai and when Solomon built the temple at Jerusalem. God came down to earth to live with men.
2. Animal sacrifices were made on the alter. Blood was shed for the sins of the people.
3. People were cleansed by the priests.
4. God forgave the people there.
5. Priests interceded and prayed for the people.
6. God gave directions to the people from the temple.
All these things are now done by Jesus. He came to live with us, he shed his blood for us, he cleanses us, he forgives us, he intercedes for us, he is our High Priest, he guides and teaches us through the Holy Spirit.
"And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom..." Matthew 27:50,51
The curtain, in the old temple, separated the Holy from the Most Holy apartment. Only once a year could a priest go into the Most Holy place.
"And now that it is torn open, what does that show but this, that by the death of Jesus Christ any one, every one, is welcome to pass in to the very innermost sanctuary, and to dwell, nestling as close as he will, to the very heart of the enthroned God? "
What was the condition of the ancient temple when Jesus came to earth?
"And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21:12,13
"And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” John 2:15,16
This action by Jesus shows us what God will do with our own temple. He will drive out our passion for the things of this world and replace that with prayer, hope and a love for righteousness.
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