Temple Building In Progress

In my lifetime I've had the privilege of participating in several building projects. My wife and I have supervised the building of two houses that became our homes. As a pastor I guided the building of five building projects, including sanctuaries, classrooms, offices and fellowship halls. They all presented their own unique challenges and opportunities.

In Hebrews 3, as we've been hearing in two previous blogs, we learn that Christ is also a builder, the builder of God's house. But this house is more than a literal building. It refers to the people rather than merely to the structure itself.  Christ is forever in the building business. His steadfast love is an eternal building in which we, His children, dwell.

I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. For I said, "Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness." You have said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: 'I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.'" Selah - Psa 89:1-4 ESV

 Originally this psalm referred to the chosen Children of Israel, but later the LORD promised to incorporate also the Gentile nations in this immense building. That's where we Gentiles come in.

And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, 'As the LORD lives,' even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people. - Jer 12:16 ESV

This promise is being fulfilled in Christ. His new building includes not only Israel, but all who put their faith in Him, regardless of their race or nationality. This is what the writer to the Hebrews refers to when he says that . . .

Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses--as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. - Hebrews 3:3-6 ESV

Jesus is the rock-solid foundation of this wondrous building, the builder of this great structure. In  Him and through Him Israelites and Gentiles are growing together as living stones of the Temple of God. This is a great work in progress. The Apostle Peter puts it like this:

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame" (Isaiah 28:16). So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"(Ps. 118:22), and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense"(Isa. 8:14). They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. - 1Pet 2:4-9 ESV 

Wherever we read about God's building project, we are filled with joy and hope. He is at work, always building, adding new stones, new rooms, new projects. He who is the Builder is also the foundation, the solid rock upon which His church, His people stand firm. This is our message. This is our Good News, our Gospel.

"I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations." Ps. 89:1 ESV