One Greater than the Temple
I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. (Matthew 12:6)
Mat. 12:1-6; Mal. 3:1; I Sam. 15:22; Hos. 6:7, Jn. 5:9-16 and 7:19-24; I Co. 3:6
What Is God Saying?
The Pharisees were always looking for a flaw in Jesus' armor. They thought they had found one when Jesus and His disciples walked through a grain field on the Sabbath Day and needed a snack. They ate a few grains of wheat. There was a law about harvesting on the Sabbath Day. This behavior by the disciples was harvesting according to the Pharisees. Jesus reminded them how David and his friends went into the Temple and ate, not a few grams of wheat, but The Bread of the Presence, The Shewbread.
It was the custom to place twelve loaves of bread in the Sanctuary, one loaf for each tribe. Every Sabbath, fresh bread replaced the old. The bread that was removed was given to the Priests. God did not punish David. His need for food was more important than technicalities. Jesus is saying, ‘If you condemn me, you must also condemn David.’ Jesus was not condoning disobedience to God's laws. He stressed that compassion had its place too, even in a function related to the Temple. Beside that, Jesus says, ‘Something greater than the Temple is here.’
How Does This Apply To Us?
Mercy to those in need is more important than strict adherence to Sabbath rules. It is more important to follow the Lord of the Sabbath in His spirit of compass10n and love than to get hung up on the prickly thorns of legalism. The worship and rituals of the Temple only have a valid claim on us when they lead us closer to Him who is greater than the Temple. The customs of formal religion can be meaningful and helpful, but only as a pathway to the Lord of love and compassion.
Do we go to the Temple (or the Church) to find and enjoy the Lord's Presence or has it become an end in itself? Does it stop with wanting respectability in the community, salving a bad conscience, the aesthetic enjoyment of a choir, the charisma of a preacher, having a good place to eat good food at a good price? Jesus is greater than the Temple. Go there to find Him. Leave there to serve Him. That is why the Church is there.
Pray With Me
Jesus, Lord, in You all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. Through You, I receive the fullness of God's grace. With You, I walk in the fullness of God's love. From You, I am replenished by the fullness of God's power. Since You are always near, I can sense the fullness of God's peace. You are far, far greater than the Temple and You are here.
Forms of worship are good, but it is greater by far to know that You are here, always here in my heart. Singing Your praise is a gift of joy that lifts me out of myself and into the very company of angels, but it is greater to know that the One who is the reason I sing in the Temple has already put a song in my heart. The great prayers that are said in the Temple, move me deeply as I realize how many Christians have repeated them in faith and have found in them peace and courage and hope, but greater than the greatest prayers is the presence of the greatest Friend.
Thank You for all temples where You are truly worshiped. Thank You for all who stand to proclaim Your unsearchable riches. Thank You for those places where the people of God, hungry for the word of God, are gathered together to listen. Thank You for all the places and for all symbols that make visible Your glory and love. We need to be reminded of Your holiness. We need to be encouraged by the example and the understanding of others. Yet all this has no meaning if we fail to remember that the One who is worshipped there is already here and has always been here in hearts that open the door and welcome His presence.
As shadows consist of nothing but give evidence of something real, so temples tell us about and should point us to something greater. I am glad I have something greater than temples and I am glad He is here.
In His name who said, "Lo, I am with you always." Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
In prayer we satisfy our hunger for God. In the wilderness, God gave His people bread from Heaven to eat. Fellowship with Christ in prayer is partaking of the ‘Bread which comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world" (Jn. 6:33). It is a time and a way to be nourished. It is a time and a way to be strengthened. Prayer keeps us alive to the providence of God, alive to the needs of others, alive to all that God wants us to become by His grace. Prayer is the Bread of Heaven on the way to Heaven.
