Jn.2:19-22 – Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and yet You will raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking about the temple of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.
This statement, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”, is one of the things the priests brought up years later. Obviously they were pretty disturbed when Jesus cleansed the temple. . This was a huge money thing, selling approved animals for sacrifice. When hearts are not right things can go bad quickly when money is involved. Jesus was going past the physical temple with His actions and words, He was focused on the temple He came to build. He came to build His church, this would be His dwelling place forever.
You and I live in the fulfillment of this prophesy. Christ’s human body was raised from the dead and all of us have been raised from the dead with Him. Since Christ was glorified at the Father’s right hand He has poured His Spirit on us and in us. We are the temple not made with hands. Here is how Brian Simmons describes this.
“Resurrection power would be the sign of his supreme authority. Jesus’ death and resurrection effectively dismantled the need for the temple, for now his powerful gospel of the kingdom realm builds us into a holy temple not made with hands. This symbolic form of speaking was so different than the teachings of the Pharisees, as it is to the understanding of many Christians today. The God who was once worshiped by animal sacrifices is now to be worshiped in spirit and truth with every believer as a priest.”
Paul spoke about the church as a temple in his letters. He said that Jesus was the cornerstone and the apostles and prophets are the foundation stones of the church. Peter went on to say that we are all living stones being built together for a habitation of the Spirit of God. Think about that for a moment, we were created for Him to live in and among us, that is just too good for words. Jesus was upset that they had defiled a symbolic temple, how much more if someone defiles the living temple of God’s presence.
Father in Heaven, You are Holy, Your Name is above all names, no other name has been given to men by which we can be saved, every knee will bend and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord when You return in all Your glory. Glorify your bride, be glorified in us, let your glory fill the house and your praise fill our mouths as we cry Holy Holy Holy are You Lord.