Destroy This Temple

 

 

We set so much store by temples

Like the Jews of Biblical times

And when we cannot get to church

It really gets on our minds.

 

To the Jews the temple was everything

It was their heart and soul and life,

It was even their reliable talisman

Whenever they encountered strife.

 

It was their signal place of worship,

It was at the centre of their rites

And as long as they had access to it

They felt safe both day and night.

 

So that when its destruction was foretold

For them, this meant the end

And to them it became more ominous

Since it came from Jesus, their friend.

 

Not one stone to be left upon another

Spoke of the temple’s destruction

And with it the disciples’ hope and security

And this brought utter confusion.

 

 

This was where they met with God

And without it they were lost,

Of course, at the time of this prophecy

Jesus had not yet gone to the cross.

 

Hence, they could be excused

For all that bombarded their minds

But we cannot plead such ignorance

Certainly, not in these post Pentecost times.

 

Destroy this temple, Jesus had said,

And in three days I will raise it up,

They thought he meant the Jewish temple

Instead of his coming bitter cup.

 

He would be whipped until he bled

His face, a bloody disfigurement,

He would be spread-eagle on a cross

And suffer beyond human extent.

 

Destroy these temples, the call goes out

Though not in a physical sense,

But consider the temple of lively stones

Though not the physical one resent.

 

We hold the physical in high esteem

To the extent of sacrosanct,

And we build our confidence around them

Almost like some people trust a bank.

 

 

Church came to screeching halt

When in COVID they had to be closed,

And some were so angry with the authorities

That they exchanged verbal blows.

 

These are not the spiritual temples

No!  Indeed, they are not!

Instead, we are the temple of lively stones-

All of us form the “born-again” flock.

 

Jesus is the chief corner stone

And the Word that holds us together

Along with the blessed Holy Spirit

That binds us to one another.

 

God is the Father of us all

That gave for us His Son,

The bridegroom of the bride, his Church,

The pearl of His heavenly kingdom.

 

 

Put these edifices in right perspective

For they are not the Church,

To trust these stones that have no life

Is to leave us all in the lurch.

 

Instead, trust the one that gave his life

Thus, destroying his own temple

But raised it up as he said he would

Not for one but for all people.

 

He is the life of the ensuing temple,

The risen Christ that was seen,

It is not the place where you go to church

But hopefully on Christ that you lean.

 

On Christ, the risen Lord we lean,

Our life, our hope, our destiny,

He, the cornerstone of our temple is

For all eternity.

 

Stewart Russell © April 12, 2021