Recently our granddaughter was in Montreal, and she visited the Notre Dame Cathedral there. She sent us a picture and it is absolutely stunning, breathtaking as a matter of fact.
Churches and Cathedrals were once built to reflect the glory and majesty of God.
I have read over and over again the instructions that God gave Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle, which was the place of worship for the Israelites. It needed to be portable and easy to move during their wanderings in the desert, but it was also ornate and full of rich detail. Massive amounts of gold were fashioned for the decor. Only the finest linen was used, gemstones were hewn for the priests’ breastplates, even the carrying poles had gold rings and end caps.
This was God’s house and it had to reflect His grandeur of His majesty.
But as beautiful as that Tabernacle was only the priests could enjoy the beauty. Not everyone had open access to enter.
However, when Christ came a different and more common temple was fashioned.
“You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. 20 God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 CEV
We, the body of believers, are the dwelling place for the Spirit of God. We’re not quite as fancy with gilded walls and tapestries but we are where God has chosen to dwell.
“ Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.” Revelation 3:20 CEV
Christ asks our permission for entrance. He desires to make His home in our hearts, bringing His supernatural character to our natural existence.
“My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
20-21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” Ephesians 3:15-20 MSG
All He asks of us is permission to enter, an open door into our lives. His presence makes us a glorious temple, a place of worship.