Luke 21:5-19; Isaiah 65:17-25; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Today’s reading from the gospel of Luke happened in Jesus’ final week on earth. In Luke 22 Judas agreed to betrayed Jesus. Apparently, Jesus and his disciples are still inside the temple and some of them made remarks about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. For what we know from the Bible and history the temple was impressive, not only for its beauty but also for its size. The temple was indeed impressive, covering about one-sixth of the land of the ancient city of Jerusalem; the building complex was nearly 1500 feet long by 1200 feet wide.
Not only the disciples but any Jew, any visitor felt overwhelmed before this majestic building that was not only a great architectural piece of art, but also the center of the Jewish faith. Therefore, I believe that the disciples were surprised by Jesus’ prophetic remarks. All this splendor and beauty might impress you, but all will be thrown down. That is essentially what Jesus told them. And the temple was the heart and soul of Israel’s worship.
When all this will happen? the disciples asked; Jesus’ answer did not include a day or a year, only the description of how will happen, followed by some advice, “Watch out that you are not deceived”, “bear testimony” and “stand firm, and you will win life.” The fact is that almost 40 years later, in 70 A.D, not only the temple, but most of Jerusalem was destroyed by an army led by general Titus, who 9 years later became emperor of Rome.
Why would Jesus predict the destruction of the most beloved landmark of the Jews? Why would God allow this to happen? Those were the questions that many Jews had, when it happened. The answer to those questions was, because the temple that looked pretty on the outside, was also pretty rotten on the inside. This magnificent building that Solomon inaugurated almost one thousand years before was not anymore what it was intended for. In 1 Kings chapter 8th beginning in verse 29 the temple is described as a place where the name of God shall be; as place where neighbors should get justice; as place where sinners will be forgiven; a place where foreigners will hear about his “mighty hand and outstretched arm”; it is described as place of repentance. But what Jesus saw in his times was not what is described in Solomon’s dedication prayer. In Jesus’ words, what he saw was “a den of thieves,” and a place to make business.
Many times, we find in the gospels the expression “Jesus knew their minds and hearts.” In here we can say that Jesus knew the heart of the temple and he saw that His Father was not there anymore. “May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.” 1 Kings 8:29. That is what Solomon prayed when he dedicated the temple. God’s name, God’s presence was not there anymore, and Jesus knew. Tradition, money, and power had changed the purpose of the temple.
“When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath before your altar in this temple,32 then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicating the innocent by treating them in accordance with their innocence. Verses 31 and 32. The temple was supposed to be a place where God vindicate the innocentand punish the guilty. Instead, was a place where those in control showed their power and ashamed the poor as we can learn in the Pharisee’s prayer and in the way, many people threw their offering in large amounts so everybody could hear how big their offering was and shame poor widows as it is described by Jesus in the widow’s offering relate.
“As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name— for they will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.” verses 41 to 43. The temple was built to be a place of refuge for the foreigners. Place where they could come as an equal. But it was not. The place used by the Jews to sell doves, cattle and to exchange money, according to many scholars was the place assigned for foreigners. The Jews were disrespecting this group by doing so, therefore, it was not -according to scholars -what they were doing, but where was being done what made Jesus angry, when he cleansed the temple. Once again, they had changed the purpose of the temple. Therefore, the temple had no purpose anymore.
How can this happen? How could Israel forget the purpose of the temple? The answer is in Luke 21:5, they admired the building in such a way that they forgot what it was for and who this building was for. They admired and took care of the exterior while they forgot to fully commit their hearts to the Lord their God and to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as it is required in verse 61 of First Kings chapter 8.
The lesson for us today is to forget about what is superficial, and practice what is essential; do not forget your purpose as temple of the Holy Spirit and the purpose of the building where we get together. This building was erected for the glory of God and not for the glory of any man. Was erected to bear the name of God; was erected for all the persons from all nations who come because of His name. This temple was built to be a safe haven for every person regardless of who they are, a place of reconciliation where everyone feel welcome, loved and respected. This must be a place of prayer where God will hear the cry out of those who look for Him, regardless of who they are or come from. That is the purpose of this building and any building where the name of God is proclaim.
As temples of the Holy Spirit we have a purpose also: 1 Peter 2:9 and 10 tells us our purpose. NIV translate 1 Peter 2:9, like this: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” The Bible version called The Message translates it like this, “But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
Our purpose, yours and mine is to share with others what God has done in us; the difference he has made in our lives; our purpose is to speak out for Him. Thru us, His instruments, people will, people must hear about who God is, about what He can and wants to do in their lives and in this world. I heard the story of a little girl who was drawing something. Her mom asked her, “What are you drawing? She said, I am drawing a picture of God. No one know how God looks, her mom replied; I know the little one says, they must wait till I finish.
Brothers and sisters this world need to hear the voice of God; we must allow Him to speak thru us; that is the reason, the purpose he allowed Solomon to build the temple; that is the reason, the purpose He called us for. If we do not do it, we have lost our purpose as the temple in Jerusalem 2000 years ago and He will use the stones to proclaim His praises. Let’s not wait anymore for God to speak thru us; let’s not wait anymore to fulfill our purpose as God’s Holy Spirit temple. God bless you all.