Our news feeds have been filled with horrific pictures of Notre Dame Cathedral being consumed by devastating flames. The videos remind me of a proverbial train wreck—it hurts to look but you can’t look away either.
The 850-year-old Cathedral is an iconic landmark that has been a must-see stop for every tourist in Paris. The French Gothic architecture, stained glass windows, and works of art are the focus of thirteen million visitors annually.
Even before the fire, I’ve been thinking about cathedrals and temples and the dwelling place of God. In my current Bible study we’ve been reading the account in First Kings of Solomon building the Temple—a dwelling place for the God of Israel.
For thousands of years, humanity has been constructing altars and buildings to worship God. Some are plain, others ornate. But as King Solomon said, “Will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” (I Kings 8:27 NIV).
And Acts 7:48-50 (NIV) notes Stephen’s words:
However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?’
Yet the Bible also tells us we—believers in Jesus Christ—are now the dwelling place of God’s Spirit. The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives in us. Our body is His temple (I Corinthians 6:19).
The dwelling place of God is not a building made of wood and stone. Instead, His Spirit resides in His people. Buildings will come and go. Time wears them down and wears them out. Notre Dame Cathedral was in dire need of repair long before the fire. Authorities even speculate the fire may have started as a result of the renovation work.
But people are eternal. By faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit brings life that will last long after our mortal bodies are dust.
So what are we doing with this knowledge? Yes, we mourn the loss of temples and cathedrals, but not because they are the dwelling place of God. We mourn the loss of their manifestations of human beauty and artistry.
But we do it knowing the living God lives in us. We are His ambassadors with a message to the world of reconciliation to God in Christ.
Enjoy the beauty of manmade temples and cathedrals. But always remember, Christ-followers are the most beautiful temple of all.
Yes and Amen!
AMEN, I have been thinking the same thing. Thank you.
This was wonderful. I love that scripture about how the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us. It hit me again when I read it here. God bless.
Thank you, Afi.
Ah, good point: buildings come and go, but people are eternal (thanks to Christ). Amen, Ava!
Amen! We are the body of Christ! I never considered before how the have been believers alive from the time of Christ through now. It’s beautiful.
Amen. Amen.
Amen so true, we are losing sight of this fact and focusing too much on buildings…. wow powerful message!!
I love this post, a true picture of how our perspective should be over the loss of buildings and other objects. My husband said when he heard how much money they had raised to rebuild, they should help rebuild people who need help with that money.
Beautiful, Ava! I love the reminder that mankind are the most beautiful of God’s “temples!”
Amen
Amen!