AN AMAZING FACT: As church attendance has dropped and the population has shifted from cities to suburbs, hundreds of church buildings worldwide have been turned into community centers, museums, offices, and residences. In Pittsburgh, the St. John the Baptist Church has been turned into the Church Brew Works. Pews were shortened to fit next to tables, and merchandise is sold from the old confessional. The steel and copper brewing tanks are located on the altar.
It would be distressing to almost anyone to see his or her old church turned into a bar. In Jesus’ time, although the temple hadn’t been closed or converted, the presence of the moneychangers and merchants changed the worshipful atmosphere to one of a busy marketplace. Jesus was incensed. After making a whip, he chased out the merchants with their animals and overturned the moneychanger’s tables. When the Jews asked Him to give a sign of His authority to do this, Jesus spoke in a parable: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). He wasn’t talking about the physical temple, but Himself—the Jewish leaders would have Him killed, and He would be resurrected three days later. As the Messiah, He had the authority to cleanse the temple.
But the temple is not only symbolic of Jesus’ mission. It is also a symbol of the Christian: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Just as the merchants and shoppers crowded the temple of old, sin can crowd the worship from our hearts, and only Christ can cleanse the heart.
But the temple is not only symbolic of Jesus’ mission. It is also a symbol of the Christian: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Just as the merchants and shoppers crowded the temple of old, sin can crowd the worship from our hearts, and only Christ can cleanse the heart.
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Malachi 3:1-3