Of First Importance: A Holy Week DevotionalSample

Christ, the Cornerstone of the New Temple

READ

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. John 2:13–22

Additional Reading: Psalm 118:22–23; 1 Peter 2:6

REFLECT

The Lord’s temple in Jerusalem set the stage for one of Jesus’ action-packed scenes. It was the week of the Passover, and Jews from different parts of the known world were in Jerusalem to celebrate. Jesus had just performed His first-ever miracle in Cana, and His disciples were there, too.

Upon arriving, He was shocked at what He saw: The temple court was teeming with animals, vendors, and profiteers! As a result, Jesus flipped the tables, drove the animals away, and chased people off with a whip. Then, He did something that scandalized the Jews even more. Demanding an explanation, the Jews asked Jesus to prove His authority. Jesus’ answer shocked them: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Years later, this statement would be used against Him before His crucifixion (Matthew 26:57–68).

The temple Jesus was referring to was His body. It is the new temple where God’s presence dwells. Just as He declared, His body, which was destroyed at the cross, was raised again in three days.

Jesus’ death fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 118:22–23. By rejecting Him and putting Him to death, Jesus had become the cornerstone of God’s new temple. The cornerstone was the most important part of a building in ancient architecture. It was the first stone to be laid, determining the building’s position and orientation. Hence, every structure aspect was built concerning the cornerstone’s position. This stone is where the foundation of a building rests. If removed, the entire edifice would collapse.

In the same way, Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. Without Him, everything we believe and hope for would collapse. The totality of God’s redemption plan rests on Him. Thankfully, Jesus is a sure foundation of our faith. His victory on the cross is final. Our salvation is a done deal. And we know that our lives on earth, albeit difficult and full of suffering, can find meaning and purpose in Him. Because He is our cornerstone, we will never be put to shame (1 Peter 2:6). We will have not only a reprieve from our earthly sorrows but also eternal security and perpetual peace in Him.

With Christ as the cornerstone, we have become living stones in the new and perfect temple that God Himself is building, the place where God’s presence permanently dwells.

RESPOND

• Does your whole life rest on Jesus as your cornerstone? If not, which areas of your life do you need to entrust to Him? Pray to God and declare that Jesus alone is your sole security, confidence, and hope in this life.
• Read and meditate on 2 Corinthians 4:17. What do you think God is teaching you about your light momentary afflictions today?
• Pray for your family and friends whose lives are not yet built on Christ as their cornerstone. Ask God for opportunities to minister to them and for them to respond to the gospel.