As a student of Jesus, understanding His Word is key. One of my goals as a pastor is to help you grasp some of the cultural contexts in the Bible, and today, I want to address one in particular — the temple. The temple was the center of Jewish life, not just spiritual, but cultural as well. It’s where money was kept, where business happened, and where government rulings were made. It was also the site of religious festivals, housed the altars of sacrifice, and most importantly, it’s where the Spirit of God dwelled. Because of its prominence in the life of the Jews, this important place was not known to them as “the temple,” but rather as “the house.” I don’t know about you, but when I think about a house, I picture the place where I live; the home where I put my feet up and relax. My house is where I rest and have conversations with my wife, my kids, and with God. In short, it’s where I’m the most comfortable, and that’s what the temple was in the lives of the Jewish people.

It’s interesting that the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians that we as believers have become the Lord’s temple since His Spirit is in our midst. In other words, we can be at home with the Lord because He has made His home with us. In short, we are His house. 

Friend, you are God’s house! You have been entrusted with the honor of creating a welcoming place in your heart for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and you can enjoy unhindered fellowship with Him there. He invites you to put your feet up and let your hair down in His presence and to simply relax in His love. You are perfectly accepted and completely known, and nothing you have done or ever will do can change your status as His beloved child. When you choose to consistently dwell near to Him, everything else in your life — your decisions, finances, and work — will be governed by His Spirit, and you will stand on a foundation that is so firm, it can’t be destroyed by any worldly test or trial!