A Living Temple
And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” Zechariah 6:12-13
Stained glass windows flanked the side walls, filtering beams of colored sunlight into the room. Long rows of wooden pews, divided by a center aisle, led to the altar with its marble top and ornate candle holders. Each Sunday, as I walked into the sanctuary, the sacredness of the space was tangible. Passing through those wooden doors brought a feeling of reverence.
In the Old Testament, God’s temple was where His Spirit dwelt. Since God’s Holy Spirit was not yet living in the hearts of His people, the temple was the location of God’s spirit on earth.
The original temple was a building made of stone. Today, Jesus is building a new temple made of hearts filled with the Holy Spirit.
We are God’s temple. God dwells in the hearts of His people, in the very body of you and me. God began His plan of building a new temple with Jesus’ birth, creating a way for the Holy Spirit to go with His people wherever they dwell.
God’s physical temple was a building where His people went to worship Him through prayer and sacrifice. It was a reminder of God’s presence in the culture surrounding it. As God’s new temple, we have the same opportunity and responsibility to use our lives to point our culture to God. As we meet God in prayer, read His word, prioritize corporate worship, and openly share His truth, He uses us as an example to those in our sphere of influence.
If I’m honest, some days, I don’t look much like God’s temple. I’m grumpy and short-tempered with the people I love. I’m in too much of a hurry to pause and think of others. On those days, God’s spirit is still with me. He waits patiently for me to turn from my sin and provides the strength I need to walk in His ways.
With each decision we make to honor Him, we strengthen the temple of our hearts.
Lord, when I’m tempted to fall into sin, help me remember I am your temple, created to display your spirit to those around me. Give me the strength and discipline I need to live a life that honors you. Amen.