March 3, 2024 

Today’s Reading: John 2:13-22 (23-25) 

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 27:30-45; 28:10-22; Mark 9:1-13

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. (John 2:19-21)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The temple in Jerusalem that Jesus references here was originally built by Solomon, David’s son, and was central to the worship life of the Jewish people. It had, over the centuries, suffered destruction and desecration, but had finally been rebuilt to be even more grand than it had been in the days of Solomon. As Jesus’ detractors here say, it had been under reconstruction for forty-six years. That amount of time represents a great deal of money, sweat, and labor dedicated to refashioning the temple. Rebuilding the temple mattered because it was understood to be the place where God promised to dwell with His people and the reconstruction was considered a fulfillment of that promise.

It makes sense to us that we would find God in the beautiful and magnificent, perhaps in a spectacular sunset or in a gorgeous building. Indeed, Christians have also built beautiful churches to house, direct, and inform our worship of God. Jesus is not saying here that beautiful buildings are wrong, but He does what He so often does—takes what seems very straightforward, that we should invest our time and money on constructing something beautiful for the worship of God, and reverses it. Instead of pointing to the temple as the central aspect of worship, as would perhaps be expected, He points to His body, a body which will soon be broken and killed, but on the third day rises in fulfillment of an even greater promise. Jesus is saying here that God’s promise to be with His people is no longer connected to a particular geographic spot or building but is instead connected to where His crucified and risen body is to be found. 

Where can we find Jesus’ body today? A beautiful church or cathedral is no guarantee of His presence; however, we can be assured of His body broken for us in the bread and wine of His Supper given to us. We can find His body in the two or three gathered in His name to receive His gifts. Look not to what you can see with your eyes for assurance of your God with you, but instead look for His body where it has promised to be for you. In the Name + of Jesus.

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

-Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary Services. 

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

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