Jesus Isn't Decaf (By Naomi Meyers)

The finished project was stunning. Gorgeous. Breathtaking. Awe-inspiring. It was impossible to pass by and not stop to study yet another bit of architecture one had previously overlooked. Intricate carvings. Carefully cut stones. Glistening golden doors. Lines of bronze bowls for washing. An enormous basin balanced on the backs of twelve outward-facing oxen shimmered with thousands of gallons of water for priestly washing. One could stand for hours yet still fail to take in every amazing detail. So much was there to see, so much over which to marvel. 

It had been years in the making.  Not for lack of effort. Workmen were plentiful. Stonecutters, masons, carpenters, metal workers. Nor were they waiting for products to arrive. Materials were stacked up in every conceivable storage area. Millions of pounds of gold, silver, bronze and iron. Immeasurable amounts of cedar and stone. Neither strength nor supply was the cause of the long years from start to finish. Striving for perfection was. 

Anything less than perfection could never be considered an option for this project. Nothing could be done in half measures. No corners could be cut. No substandard materials could be used. There was no room for error.  It had to be magnificent, breathtaking. Why? Because God would dwell there. Among them. They were His people. He was their God. (Exodus 6:7)

Without exception, this temple must reflect the perfection of the One for whom it was built. Gloriously resplendent. Majestic. Superseding every other temple ever built. This house must resonate with the awe and power and glory of the One the heavens nor heavens of heavens can contain. The God who inhabits eternity. The Alpha. The Omega. Beginning of all. Sustainer of all. End of all. (II Chronicles 2:6; Isaiah 57:15; Revelation 22:13; Colossians 1:16)  

The process had felt infinite, but the final project was absolutely worth it. Worth back-breaking days of hewing precious stones out of rocks. Worth hand-cramping hours of carving and etching in wood and metal. Worth every finger plumbing stitch in the linen curtain. Worth every casting and recasting of golden lampstands and lamps, flowers and tongs, snuffers and basins, incense dishes and firepans. It was all worth it–every scratch and cut, ache and pain was worth the unmitigated joy of being able to give something back to the God who had delivered them, rescued them, fought for them, and walked with them through hell or high water. 

As the leaders and elders and people assembled for dedication day, they must surely have stood with bated breath to see God’s reaction. Would He love it? Hate it? Honor it? Ignore it? Had they done it correctly? As hard as they tried to follow the pattern exactly, had they somehow missed one tiny nail, one-minute flaw? When they dedicated His house, handed Him back all the things He had provided for them to build this extraordinary building, would God bless it with the glory of His presence?

Standing in silence on Mount Moriah at the place where David had sacrificed offerings of personal expense on Ornan’s threshing floor, the people waited to see what would happen.  They watched as the priests filed out to stand in perfect lines. Each one fully consecrated. Each clothed in linen. Each holding an instrument in their hands. Cymbals, harps, lyres and trumpets. Each voice prepared to swell with song. Once perfectly assembled, they split the silence with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. And it was enough. Their sacrificial efforts of building and sewing and metalwork were enough. Their praise was enough. God answered. The glory of the Lord filled the house of God. They could ask for nothing better. Neither can we. (I Kings 6-8; I Chronicles 21-22; II Chronicles 2-5)

Centuries later this gorgeous specimen of architectural genius would lie in ruins. The timbers would rot. The precious stones would be scavenged. The gold would be stolen. Bandits would make off with all the valuable pieces. But they’d be missing the most important bit. They’d be missing the presence and glory of God. Because God’s house, the place He lives and dwells and reigns, has nothing to do with an ornate building, padded pews, an enormous crowd, or a gifted band. God’s temple, His house, is in the hearts of His people. Those who know and believe in the depths of their soul that they are God’s temple and allow His Spirit to infiltrate every part of their lives. The ones who delight to do His will. The ones who follow His plan, His pattern, exactly as He says. (Psalm 40:8; Matthew 6:10; John 14:23; I Corinthians 3:16-17)

See, we aren’t so different from Solomon and the people building that temple so long ago. King David, Solomon’s father, handed him a pattern to follow in the building. Its parameters were not up for debate. There could be no deviation when it became difficult. No modification when the work was tedious. No quitting when it became tiresome. It had to be exact. Just as the pattern indicated. (I Chronicles 28:11-19) 

Ours must be as well. The temple of God cannot be shared with other gods. It cannot be corrupted with impurities of sin and greed and lust. It cannot be altered by re-interpretations, modifications, or eliminations. God’s words, His commands, His directives stand. They never change. Sin is always sin and it cannot coexist with the Spirit of God that dwells in His temple. If sin is there, if you make allowance for just one thing that doesn’t conform to the pattern set forth in His word, the glory of God, the essence of His presence, will lift from your temple. Not one of us wants that. (I Corinthians 4:20, 6:18-20; Psalm 66:18; Exodus 20:3-5; Deuteronomy 4:2; Malachi 3:6; Luke 21:33)

It makes obedience to God imperative. Always. Even when it is uncomfortable. Even when everyone else is avoiding it. Even when we are pressed, stressed and exhausted. But there is no excuse for disobedience. No acceptable reason for failure to follow the pattern explicitly laid out for us. No reasonable explanation to fail to do the right we know to do. But the choice is ours. It always is. If you want the blessing of the power and glory and presence of God to saturate every part of your being, if you want to stand firm no matter what comes your way, you’ll have to build your life according to the pattern. (James 4:17; I Samuel 15:22; John 14:15; I John 5:2-3; Joshua 24:15; Matthew 7:24-25)

I so want this. I want the words of my mouth, the prayers of my lips, the desires of my heart to be saturated with the presence of God. I want to revel in His power, be awed by His glory.  I want to live my life according to His pattern. Always. I hope you do too. I hope you long for the presence of God to fall down and infiltrate even the most remote parts of your soul. I hope the desire to see His power at work in your life permeates your heart. I hope you live in such complete obedience to Him that you daily revel in His glory. May you live according to His pattern. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Hebrews 12:1; Proverbs 3:1-35; Romans 12:1-2)