“So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” John 2:18-22 ESV
The devastation of Notre Dame, rocked the country of France and many around the world. This beautiful, iconic historic building being destroyed by fire in a few short hours was harrowing. Many have pledged to rebuild it. This tragedy albeit sad, I pray will help rebuild not just the physical church, but God’s church through His people.
It happens everyday, around the world, the tearing down the old to build up the new. Just the other week, they tore down the building across from us. It was an old bank building that had been vacant for months. The old torn down to be replaced with something new. It took only 3 days to tear it down, but I am sure it took months to build it. Tearing down can happen quickly. Building up takes planning, precision and a purpose. This week, many around the globe will celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. His life torn down and resurrected to build the church, upon the Chief cornerstone – Christ. The Chief architect and builder is God.
Plans
Jesus said that he could build the temple in three days. The devil’s plans were to destroy Jesus by force. Yet he did not realize at that time, it was God’s plan to build the church. From the beginning of creation, God had a plan for relationship with His people. Jesus brought the church together through His death and resurrection. Sin had to be torn down through Christ’s victorious death to build God’s church. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to many eye witnesses who gave testimony to Christ’s resurrected body and spread His message throughout the world. God’s plan was set in motion as Christians were scattered and the church began to grow by the thousands and continues its growth today.
Precision
Timing is everything. Things that need to take awhile – should. There is a reason. Growth and care does not happen overnight. The timing and details of Christ’s death and His resurrection were prophesied 1000 years before the actual events. Creation and the human body, reflects God’s precision in it’s intricately coordinated system of growth and replication. From the oceans’ floor to the majestic sky, creation functions with the precise direction and details of it’s designer and builder. So the church reflects the design of the great designer. The church is still expanding. God’s timing to call and use His people starts with a tearing down of self and a building up of His church. He has done it in my life and continues to expand the church every day.
Purpose
The day of His resurrection set in motion the building of God’s church. God destroyed the temple so that the church could become many ‘mini’ temples within which the Holy Spirit could dwell. Christ’s life given for the church. His surrendered life as a model, for sin to be destroyed and the church to be built up. Now my temple is being built for a bigger purpose and story. To reflect God’s beauty and to build His church for His glory. “And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:14-15,19 -20) Focus not on the tearing down, but the building up. Recognize the chief builder and designer is God.
Tear Down to Build Up
Plans. Precision. Purpose
What needs to be torn down in my life? What is God trying to build in me?
Photo credit: Christina Wong, Cathedrale Notre-Dame in Normandy