But I say unto you, that in this place is One greater than the temple. Matthew 12:6
About 20 years before Jesus was born, Herod the Great embarked on a great building project to replace the temple rebuilt by the remnant that returned from Babylon with a greater temple. Motivated by pride, not reverence, Herod determined that his new temple would be the equivalent of the original one built by Solomon. The temple proper was built to those same dimensions, 60 cubits long by 20 cubits wide by 40 cubits high. With its additional porches and other buildings, the new temple covered six times as much space as the one it replaced. The new temple was splendidly built and furnished, and the Jews were very proud of it. It was the centre of their life, not just their religious life, and the most important events in their lives occurred there. The temple was so important that today, the one remaining wall of the temple’s ruins, the Western, or Wailing Wall, is the most important site of Judaism. For Jesus to say He was greater than the temple was an incredible claim.
As great as the temple was, and as significant its role in the lives and religion of the Jews, it holds very little significance to Christians today, other than a place of interest. But the One Who claimed to be greater than the temple is the focus of all our attention. Even if Judaism were able to rebuild the temple and to restore the Mosaic ordinances and offerings, these would have no meaning because of the One Who is greater than the temple and everything that transpired within it. The Lord Jesus at one point referred to the temple as His Father’s house, and so we must not minimize its worth at that time. But the One Who is greater than the temple is now the One Who has replaced the temple as the Centre of the Father’s house today.
Within the temple burned the daily sacrifices, and there were many offerings made there. The purpose of all those sacrifices and offerings is gone, because the One Who is greater than the temple has made one great sacrifice for sins forever. God no longer seeks the sweet savour of offerings, because He has looked on the travail of His Son’s soul, and is satisfied. The temporary offerings of Judaism took away sins as they were repeated day by day and year by year, but the offering of the Lord Jesus has taken away our sins forever. Surely, in comparison to the temple and all its purpose, the Lord Jesus is much greater.
We worship at no earthly temple today, because none can compare to the One Who invites us into His presence, and bids us appreciate Him as the One Who is greater than any temple. -Jim MacIntosh