Tearing down temples
The chief priests and the whole Council tried to find some false evidence against Jesus to put him to death; but they could not find any, even though many people came forward and told lies about him. Finally two men stepped up and said, ‘This man said, “I am able to tear down God’s Temple and three days later build it back up.”’ (verses 59-61)
Read Matthew 26:57-68
It’s interesting to me that the only evidence the Council could find against Jesus was a misquoted claim that he could tear down God’s Temple. They had made their church building an idol, and to even mention remodelling it was treated as treason against God. In actual fact Jesus had said, ‘If you tear down this temple I will raise it up again in three days’. The disciples later understood that he was talking about his own body. But even if he had meant the Council’s beloved temple, his offer to lend a hand rebuilding it wasn’t exactly worth the death penalty.
Like the chief priests, we often struggle to know which are the essential elements of our Christian life and ministry and which aren’t. For instance, can we worship without singing? Do we need to bow our heads to pray? Do we need to go to church?
Every year new ways of doing things are presented to us. Some are better than others; most challenge our concepts of Christianity. To avoid being like the chief priests, we need to make sure we understand the suggestions and take them in context. Then we need to discern whether they threaten the essentials of our faith or merely concern personal preference.
Lord, when my faith is confronted, give me wisdom as I struggle with my faith, so that I may know your will. Amen.
by Jörg Ernst, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)
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