In the time of Moses, God commanded the specifics for how the Ark of the Covenant would be built, as well as the tabernacle in which it would be housed. The Tabernacle was the portable dwelling place of God, and through it, God directed Israel. (Ex 40:33-38)
A few centuries later, God made David king, and he wanted to build a permanent structure to be God's dwelling place. David was not given the privilege, but his son Solomon built it. The Temple was a permanent structure, and it represented a promise. (See 1 Kings 8, especially vv. 56-61)
And we know that if we are Christians, our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in us. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
When Jesus was on the earth, He visited the temple in Jerusalem. The holy site which represented God dwelling with Israel. Here is the account of one of the times Jesus visited the temple.
So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. The He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a 'den of thieves.'" Mark 11:15-17Here's the challenge: what things in our lives would Jesus overturn and drive out?
Because our heart is the temple of the Holy Spirit, we know what fruit our lives should produce. And it's only one fruit. The work of the Holy Spirit within us will produce all parts of the fruit!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)As Christ-followers, we have great hope because we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we have an incredible inheritance, and we have a responsibility!
I loved Brooke's sharing! It was very engaging, thought-provoking, and most of all, convicting. I loved how secure she was in her identity in Christ that she was able to share some of her past and present struggles. As she brought to light the things hidden in darkness, we should also be encouraged to do the same. And without a doubt, we will surely find the blood of Christ securely covering all our shame with the robe of glory in the presence of the ever Holy Father. God bless :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, Andrew! It's amazing how much power our "junk" has when we keep it hidden, in the dark. It was powerful to envision Christ clearing out the temple, and applying it to our hearts, which are the temple of the Holy Spirit. So cool! Ugh, so difficult!
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