“The Sixth theme of the Exodus: God himself went with the Israelites on their journey, in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. The book of Exodus closes with the making of the tabernacle, where God would come to live in the midst of his people. Half a millennium after Moses’ day, David and Solomon would plan and build a permanent version of this tabernacle, the Temple in Jerusalem. It was to the Temple that Jesus of Nazareth came that day, to perform a strange, dramatic symbolic gesture and to debate with the teachers of the law, as the winds began to blow more fiercely and the perfect storm of history reached it height.” (“Re-Living the Exodus”,  Simply Jesus,  N. T. Wright, p. 65)

Solomon built the Temple in the mid-tenth century, BCE. It was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar in 587/586 BCE. It was rebuilt again around 516 BCE. It was destroyed again circa 70 CE by the Romans. For 400+ years (the First Temple), and for 500+ years (the Second Temple), the Temple was the place where G-d dwelt on earth with G-d’s people. When the people entered the Temple, they believed they were in the very presence of G-d.

Now we understand why Jesus and his presence in the Temple was so significant. Jesus, as G-d incarnate, was coming to the place he was supposed to be. He was found in the Temple when he was twelve. He entered Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week, and turned the tables of the money changers accusing them of turning his Father’s house into a den of robbers. He would immediately leave Jerusalem and stay the night in the town of Bethany. 

The stage was set for a storm of biblical proportion (ha ha). It was in Jerusalem, in the Temple, where Jesus knew he belonged. And it was in Jerusalem where Jesus would make his final stand—at least on earth. But even when it was over, it was not over. The storm of Christ’s influence was just beginning.

Pastor Dave

Three months after leaving Egypt the Israelites entered the Wilderness of Sinai. They followed the route from Rephidim, arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai, and set up camp. Israel camped there facing the mountain. ^3-6 As Moses went up to meet God, God called down to him from the mountain: “Speak to the House of Jacob, tell the People of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to me. If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant, out of all peoples you’ll be my special treasure. The whole Earth is mine to choose from, but you’re special: a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.’ “This is what I want you to tell the People of Israel.” ⁷ Moses came back and called the elders of Israel together and set before them all these words which God had commanded him. ⁸ The people were unanimous in their response: “Everything God says, we will do.” Moses took the people’s answer back to God.” Exodus 19:1-8

“The Fifth theme of the Exodus: the Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai, where the “marriage covenant” between them and their God was sealed. God, for his part, gave them his law, the way of life through which they were to show the world what its maker had had in mind.” (“Re-Living the Exodus”,  Simply Jesus,  N. T. Wright, p. 65)

“Everything G-d says, we will do.” Now that sounds easy enough, but in truth it is hard to always do what G-d asks of us. G-d wanted a covenant with G-d’s people—sort of like a marriage. G-d wanted a relationship—where the people would be a treasure, like spouses are supposed to be with each other. In my marriage homily, I often tell the groom and the bride that they are giving their partner the best gift they could possibly give to someone—themselves. Marriage is supposed to be for life—a sharing of vows—a promise of fidelity; exactly what G-d wants with G-d’s people.

When we think about our lives, we soon realize that everything we have is a gift from G-d. Everything—the good and the bad—the law and the gospel—everything is a gift. Perhaps we need to understand this relationship with G-d is not like an absentee land-lord—but like a marriage, where each seeks to fulfill their promises of fidelity.

Pastor Dave