The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

JESUS IS THE TRUE TEMPLE

The temple, like the tabernacle, was the place where God lived with his people. The temple was the place where God’s people could draw near to worship him. The problem was that it was located in Jerusalem, and many had to travel great distances in order to come before God. The New Testament reveals something far greater. Yes, kings — like Solomon — are the ones who build temples. But, King Jesus built a different kind of temple. He said that the true temple was his body (Jn 2:21). With the coming of that temple, worship is no longer relegated to one place (Jn 4:21 – 23). People can come near to God wherever they are. Jesus is the true temple because he is God in human flesh, living among his people (Jn 1:14).

Believers can draw near to God through Jesus because he has torn down the curtain in the old temple that separated them from God — a feat he accomplished by means of his death on the cross (Mt 27:51). Additionally, God’s people are now the temple of God — the church is Christ’s body, and the Spirit of God dwells in them (1Co 3:16 – 17; Eph 2:19 – 22). King Jesus is building a temple made of living stones (1Pe 2:5). And someday the true temple will be “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb” (Rev 21:22). Then, God will forever live among his people with no barriers separating us!

Jesus, never let me forget that I am a part of your body and that your Holy Spirit lives within me. Help me to live always mindful of these truths. Amen.