This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
Ephesians 2:21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
If you have ever visited a grand cathedral such as Duke Chapel in Durham, NC or the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. you know the awe inspiring feel you have when you walk into such a grand structure built initially for the worship of the Lord. A trip to Europe adds additional magnificent worship structures to the grandeur list. While grand in their appearance, they are just structures and sadly, many remain empty of worshippers and empty of the Gospel.
Knowing that bricks and mortar can be combined in impressive ways, architects can design and craftsmen build beautiful buildings.
The interesting things of many of these grand cathedrals is they were built on high points in the city with a spire that could be seen for miles around. The physical structure was an orientation point for all in the community to orient their heart, lives, and prayers toward God. The temple of the Old Testament worshiper was no different. It was an impressive structure set on the high point of Jerusalem. Even when the people of Israel were taken into captivity in Babylon, Daniel and others would orient themselves toward Jerusalem and pray toward the temple. It was a physical testimony to the presence of God in the land and even in the world.
Here’s the prayer of King Solomon at the dedication of the first temple:
1 Kings 8:29 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. 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.
For centuries the temple was a witness to the world of the Lord and a place which marked the dwelling of God with his people.
That temple is gone, but God has designed and constructed a new temple to carry out the same purposes…his Church, you and me. The building together of God’s people is to “rise to become a holy temple in the Lord.” As I read this, I see the spire of the cathedral rising above the community to be a place of orientation and direction. Is not this the role of the Church? To be a witness in the world with the power of the Gospel and the orientation of the Word of God for the hearts of people? Absolutely! The center of the temple was the Most Holy Place where the presence of God dwelled among his people. Now, the hearts of believers are where God by his Spirit dwells. Collectively as two or three or more gather in his name, the Lord dwells in them and among them.
We, as God’s people, have been built together with others of God’s family to be the temple of God in our world today – a place that rises to give testimony to the love, justice, grace, and mercy of God as well as the place where God chooses to dwell by his Spirit.
You, Church, are the temple of God beautifully designed, masterfully crafted, and carefully constructed by the Lord himself to be the beacon of his love and grace in the world.
Apply: How can we be the temple of God more impactfully so when someone “steps into” the realm of believers they see and experience the grandeur and greatness of the Lord?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your master craftsmanship that in love built me into your temple to be a witness to the world and the place where you choose to dwell. AMEN.