Temples

So this is going to be my first post of this blog. Recently I have been studying through the Old Testament and woah has it been an amazing journey with the Lord. I was in 2 Chronicles 2 this morning and the Lord really met with me.

2 Chronicles 2 is talking all about the temple that Solomon is building for the Lord. It tells exactly how elaborate and amazing this temple is. It is gilded with gold and silver and has the best wood and the finest fabrics in it. And this temple is HUGE!! But in verse 5-6 Solomon is writing to a king from a near by kingdom asking for supplies and he tells the king about the temple for the Lord.

"The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?"

Solomon here is showing great wisdom. He knows that there is NO WAY that the temple he builds, no matter how large or beautiful  or elaborate would be able to hold the full glory of the Lord. Not even the heavens can do that. He knows that he can just build something that will be worthy to offer sacrifices to the Lord for even that process deserves the best for the Creator. Solomon knows that God is the Provider and so he(Solomon) should just give the best back to the Lord.

In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 it says, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple." Ok WOAH!! Lets think about what we just read about Solomon. He couldn't even imagine being able to build a temple that was worthy of the Lord but here it says that we are God's temple. The Lord finds us amazing and wants to reside in us. And I don't know if you have thought about this but Solomons temple was beautiful and elaborate. God finds us more beautiful than that. I mean I think thats just crazy!! But that is how the Lord sees us. We are sacred because in Jesus Christ we have been made clean and sanctified and made righteous and are now God's temple.

The temple that Solomon created and built was used for sacrifices for the Lord so what is our temple/body used for? In Romans 12:1 it says, "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." Our body or temple still has the same purpose. To host the sacrifice to the Lord. Now it doesn't quite look the same. It is not saying that we sacrifice cows or anything but instead our body is like a moving, walking temple for the Lord. We sacrifice our time, possessions, and wants before the Lord of Lords.

The Hebrew word for temple means house. A house is where the family resides. It is the place that on holidays the entire family comes together. Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." We are members of one body. So our bodies make a collective huge temple for the Lord. Now THAT is a huge temple. There is no way that Solomon could have ever created a temple large enough to hold all the believers and now God has it in each of us.

When I read all this and made all these connections, I just sat there in amazement. Who would have thought that the Old Testament and the New Testament would connect so well. Who would have thought that I am found to be more elaborate and beautiful to the Lord to have him reside me. My mind was blown and am amazed by this revelation. It causes me to think about how I treat the temple. Do I treat God's home with respect and do I offer my body as a living sacrifice? Is it holy and pleasing to God? I sure hope so. I know I mess up but that is why, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit." (I Peter 3:18). Christ has made us a clean and holy and sacred temple of the Lord.