By
Allen White
Jesus left the temple and was walking away
when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do
you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will
be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
Matthew 24:1-2
Taken out of context, Jesus’ claims seem a bit ridiculous. Who was
going to destroy the temple? Who would even have the chance? If someone started
dismantling the temple, certainly a guard or a priest would stop them. What did
Jesus have against the temple?
Jesus didn’t have anything against the temple. This was the sacred
place where people came to meet God. This was the place where sinners came for
atonement. But, Jesus is the fulfillment of all of that.
This section of Matthew contains many passages with a double
meaning or even a double fulfillment. In the days leading up to Jesus’
crucifixion, it wasn’t Jesus coming to an end, it was the temple system facing
its end.
The curtain separating the ordinary person from the tangible
presence of God would be torn in two (Matthew
27:51). No longer would people need an intermediary. With Jesus tearing
down that wall of separation, believers from then until now have direct access
to the throne room.
The place of worship became irrelevant at this point. Any time,
any place believers can enter into God’s presence. They don’t need a priest or
a preacher, a worship leader or a band, they just need hearts focused on God
Himself.
The dual prediction in Jesus’ words also pointed to AD 70 when the
temple was actually destroyed. Jesus
predicted these events about 40 years before the destruction would take place.
He wasn’t saying these things to bait the religious leaders.
Jesus wanted His followers to understand massive change was ahead,
and it would be okay. They would be losing a familiar path of worship, but
would be gaining access to the Father like they’d never experienced before.
You and I must admit we have some familiar paths to worship. Often
worship is a weekend service with believers gathered together, and we should
worship this way. But, if we’re only focusing on God on Sunday, we are missing
so much of what God has for us.
Think about the dark places you must go throughout the week – your
work, your neighborhood, certain relationships, or maybe even your own home.
The power and presence of God are available to you there. In a quiet way, you
can focus on God’s presence even in difficult places.
Meeting God no longer calls for ideal circumstances. Any time, any
place, He is there. Where are we?
More from Allen
White: allenwhite.org
Facebook: Galatians419 Group
Twitter: @galatians419 @allenwhite
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