Tag: Temple

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So grownup for twelve.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant. ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭45‬-‭50‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke tells us that Joseph & Mary continued doing everything according to the law – “When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him” Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭39‬-‭40‬. This finishes Jesus summary of his childhood. The next stage would be the teenage years, but in Judaism, a Jewish boy is considered a man, or an adult, at the age of 13, when he becomes Bar Mitzvah.

Luke gives us a glimpse into Jesus life and mindset at 12 years old. At 12, Jewish boys were expected to participate fully in religious observances, including attending Passover in Jerusalem. This would be Jesus’ final year of preparation before he entered full participation in the religious life of the synagogue. But Jesus did far more than just attend the activities in the temple – he stayed there for three days!

At the same time that Joseph & Mary are discovering Jesus’ disappearance, the religious teachers are being quizzed by the Son of God. Every one of the religious leaders in the temple were amazed at his grasp of understanding God’s law AND the answers that the leaders were asking of him. It is always amazing when a student impresses the teacher with their understanding. For Jesus, it was hunger – driven by his relationship with God and grasping the mission set before him. How do we know that? Because of the answer Jesus gave his mother. When Jesus’ parents showed up looking for him, they asked him, “Why have you done this to us?” They were frantic and seemed to blame Jesus for wandering off and not telling them. Totally understandable from a parent’s perspective. Why three days? There has been a lot of discussion about this three days missing. One was the fact that families travelled together and often cared for each other’s children while on a trip. Three days seem excessive, but at twelve, the assumption is that he knows what he’s doing and whoever has him in their family unit also would assume that Jesus’ parents were completely aware of his absence – which they were not.

Think about this, even at 12, Jesus was gone for 3 days – 3 days is certainly reflected in Jesus time in the tomb! This “missing” time serves well as an early mission reminder of what will eventually take place 21 years later.

Jesus’ comments back to his parents may seem disrespectful, but actually he was letting Mary know that he has figured out a very important piece of understanding. Jesus understood his special purpose within the Temple. Listen to the depth of wonder and certainty in his words, “Didn’t you know – that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke tells us they didn’t understand, but I’m pretty sure Mary had some chills go down her spine as she heard Jesus say, “my Father.” In the very next verse it says, “And his mother stored all these things in her heart.” Even though Jesus would be in Jerusalem several times, he was only in the temple a few of those times. It was critical, hopeful and endearing for Jesus to be in his Father’s house!

Prayer

​Dad,
What an amazing sense of determination and duty that Jesus felt. To be drawn, not just visit, but to stay for three days. It is in this passion that I am able to see my own drive and duty not to be in a building, but to gather together with Your Church, the body of Christ. It feels right to be among the same mission driven folks that love and serve you. Since the pandemic, I have seen the awful results of people’s decisions to stop gathering with fellow believers. They seem to be weaker in their faith and stronger in their odd beliefs and conspiracy theories! And for those who are parents, it feels irresponsible to not have their children present where believers gather. I believe it is critical to their children’s faith. I also know as things come to the end, that people’s passion to gather, to be the church, grows cold. I wish it weren’t so, but it’s now a reality. Thank you for Your Church, where together, we still hunger and thirst for You!

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Better is one day.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.“ ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭84‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I remember when Matt Redman came out with this song in 1997. And the reason it was such a favorite in the “Passion Worship,” era of Christian music is that it also took me back to the early “Maranatha Worship” era. This song, like most of the old 70’s tunes were right out of scripture. I was learning scripture through song when I was young believer in Christ.

Learning scripture through song and melody is what the book of Psalms (songs and poems) is all about. The quickest and most durable way to teach something to a child is to sing a song with them! When I read this Psalm, I quickly remember every word and the accompanied melody in a snap!

Why is that important? Because when I am stressed, overwhelmed, fearful or raging with frustration, the absolute fastest way to lift my eyes to heaven and center my soul is to SING! Sing to the LORD a new song! Several Psalms say this: Psalms 33, 96, 98 all have a beautiful admonition to SING. Most of my favorite Bible verses are quickly accessible via song memory. They become an easy way to get my ruminating fixations or brain-racing doom off myself and onto God and His goodness.

The choir director Korah, scribes this psalm as a celebration to be in God’s presence, which at the time, was in God’s courts surrounding the temple. Psalm 100 – another song, gave instructions on how to do so, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful to him, and bless his name.” The gates, the courts were the gathering place for all to come and worship. Only the priests were allowed to go deep into the temple, and only the high priest was allowed into the holy of holies. But now, since Jesus, the giant curtain, blocking access to the holy of holiness, physically and metaphorically has been torn and removed so there is no longer a barrier to enter into God’s presence without permission. You and I are free to go directly to God and tell him what is going on in our lives. And as we begin to think about approaching God, like the OT gates and courts, our heart gets excited just to be with him! I sing this Matt Redman version of this Psalm and it puts me right there where God is!

Verse:
How lovely is Your dwelling place, Oh Lord Almighty
My soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied, within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings

Chorus:
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere

Prayer

Dad,
I am soooo thankful that many Bible verses and truths have been put to words and melodies! I am grateful to sing them out loud, so my ears can hear what my soul is feeling! I am glad to daily enter into your presence with singing. It makes my heart so happy. Amen.

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The substance of things hope for.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.“ Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The author of Hebrews makes the long and detailed list of how Christ is not just sufficient, but better in all ways. The holy place Hebrews writes about is the temple. The tabernacle (tent) or permanent temple are mere copies of the “true one” in heaven. Wow! God’s dwelling place, in the heaven? I can’t even imagine. The Bible describes the earth as God’s footstool (Isaiah 66:1). Yet, this isn’t about majestic size comparison, it’s about Christ himself, worthy to approach the throne of God with boldness because of his perfect sacrifice. But as we read, Jesus doesn’t need to keep going back to God’s throne to make that sacrifice. No, Hebrews keeps using this phrase, “once for all.” It is truly finished!

Hebrews ends this thought by reminding us as believers, “so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭28‬). What an amazing exclamation; Jesus’ return is not about dealing with our sin, but rather it is the completion of the Kingdom of God arriving by bringing salvation to all who have been waiting for that fulfillment! We deal in the current realities and of what we know now – both the beauty and brokenness of this life. But we also deal with the future hope that ALL will be resolved. Evil will be crushed and we will then be totally free from our sin, shame and sorrows of this life on the dark planet called Earth 🌎. I’m not sure exactly what that means because it feels impossible to even imagine life without such duplicity. Hebrews summarizes history, but it amplifies our future in heaven with Christ. The substance of things hope for is the sacrifice of Jesus’ life for our salvation.

Prayer

​Dad,
I see glimpses of this hope, glances of beautiful moments. The sunrises and sunsets, the mountains majestically covered in snow, the site of a newborn or seeing a toddler’s smile. I see moments of happiness in grinning faces that fly by on our freeways. I feel the deep joy at the sight of reunion hugs with family and friends. These are all moments that are viewed through an obscure mirror, an enigmatic moment, a shadowed reflection. But I know there is a day coming that we will see clearly, face to face, no obstruction, no murkiness. We will behold Your glory and all of creation will be seen in a new heavenly light.

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Concerning God’s first house.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“It was in midspring, in the month of Ziv, during the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, that he began to construct the Temple of the Lord. This was 480 years after the people of Israel were rescued from their slavery in the land of Egypt.” 1 Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Bible gives specific dates about when construction began on the Temple – 480 years after leaving Egypt. There are some fascinating details in this chapter about the building of the temple. First of all, remember, God told David, He didn’t really need a permanent place to visit (1 Chronicles 17:5) Andy Stanley says, “God is a mobile God!” I love that. God also told David, that Solomon would build the temple, but He would only continue to visit as long as the people obeyed His commands (2 Chronicles 7:19-20).

The temple was massively ginormous. It was constructed in near silence vs. 7. And, it was elaborately gorgeous! The chapter ends telling us the construction took seven years! Wow – what an extraordinary achievement in ancient times. But for all the beauty in architecture and decor, in all the detail of perfection in the design and flow of what would take place in God’s first house – it was completely eclipsed by one thing and only one thing. God’s presence! Solomon dedicated the temple in 1 Kings chapter 8 by bringing the Ark of the Covenant in and invoking an amazing prayer of dedication over the building.

God answers by reminding Solomon and the people of His promise. If they are obedient, one of David’s sons will always rule on the throne. If they disobey the commands of God, He will uproot Israel and reject the temple (1 Kings 9:6-7). Solomon and the people of Israel DID NOT keep their promises, disregarding and disobeying God’s laws. But God kept His promise, eventually placing an everlasting King on the throne – Jesus Christ, the Messiah! God also moved His presence, with all of His laws, ways, decrees and desires into a permanent place – into the hearts of those who believe and follow Jesus as Lord.

Prayer

​Dad,
We are now your dwelling place! You have come and written your laws on our hearts, instead of inscribing them on stone. We are now the temple, yet you are still mobile because we are living and moving around, carrying the your Spirit within us. Thank you for abiding in hearts of flesh. Thank you for dwelling among us from within. Because of Jesus, you have not only kept your promise, you have made it possible for us to keep our promises through Christ’s own righteousness. Amen.

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Gifts for God not a building

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Then Moses said to the whole community of Israel, “This is what the Lord has commanded: Take a sacred offering for the Lord. Let those with generous hearts present the following gifts to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze; “Come, all of you who are gifted craftsmen. Construct everything that the Lord has commanded:” Exodus‬ ‭35:4-5, 10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​I have always been fascinated by this idea of taking care of the tabernacle (later the temple) by giving to the Lord. Moses doesn’t ask for himself, “give to me,” he doesn’t really even ask for the shared space for worship, sacrifice and general meeting place for the people of Israel, “give to the tabernacle” (later the temple). He says, as God commanded him, “give to the Lord.” And they did!

“So the whole community of Israel left Moses and returned to their tents. All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord.” And, more than the expensive gifts, they brought their skills! “So the people of Israel—every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them through Moses—brought their gifts and gave them freely to the Lord.”

A couple of things to point out that are still true even today.

One, when they (and we) give to God, they weren’t giving to a leader or a building campaign – it was and is considered a gift to God.

I can’t say that every church building campaign or every ask to replenish the food and household items for helps or emergencies is a godly command, but I can say that every gift given should be considered given to God. In other words, it’s not for a church pastor or a building or supply space – it’s a God gift!

Two, people who offer their skills to make, build, repair or just make things look nice (gold and gemstones?) are offered as gifts to God as well.

There is a principle that applies today but we don’t have tabernacles or temples because the Church body is the physical example of Christ and his presence. However, we still gather in a shared space. And, even though I don’t believe the space is holy, I think it does represent a place for holy people or better yet, people becoming holy to gather. And that space needs some tending to. To build it, make it functional and safe, even make it nice and keep it in clean working order.

The call to care for this common gathering space still exists today and when money or craftsmanship, and attention is seen as a GIFT to God and for the purposes of His high calling for the church body, it becomes an honor to give it, work at and even sacrifice for the total good. None of these offerings of time, talent or treasure, as many have said, are for a pastor, a board or even the other members of the church – it’s a dedication to God and to the things of God! I’ve had a long standing beef with buildings because folks behaved as though it – the “physical space” IS the church. If the place is empty, it’s just a building. If it’s full of people, it’s a welcomed and useful place for the church to gather.

Our building is paid for. Many churches are in fairly decent debt that hampers their ability to be generous in mission or community. To be debt free should be a goal and a gift to the gospel mission operating locally and globally.

PRAYER:

Dad,
I absolutely love the church! I can’t imagine where I would be if it hadn’t of been for the body of Christ loving me and discipling me. However, after 40 years of ministry, my challenges are still getting people to view the building we gather in as just that. It’s actually a SHARED home, right? I love it when folks take that kind of ownership over taking care of it, updating it and making it creatively and functionally beautiful. I can’t see us fulfilling EVERY desire of how people care for or upgrade or do home improvement the same as for their own home. I can, however see everyone pitching in for the common good and treating OUR space with dignity – not allowing trash or spills or spoiled foods in the kitchen get the best of us. I am learning to be GRATEFUL for a space that’s paid for and is in relatively good shape. Help us as your church all come to this same understanding?