One Greater than the Temple - Matthew 12:6

Matthew the apostle wrote, “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, your disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him. How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?”, and in chapter twelve and verse six of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus spoke of, “one greater than the temple” where we read:

But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

The verse reads, “But I say unto you, ...” Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “I say” which means “Jesus utters, declares and proclaims” “unto you” or “toward the Pharisees who questioned Him”. Matthew shared how Jesus began to share a statement that is above all the “legislated rules” which were developed by the Pharisees.

The verse continues, “... That in this place is one greater than the temple.” Matthew added the words, “that in this place” which means “that here in this same spot” “is one greater than” or “exists He who is larger, elder and stronger than” “the temple” or “the sacred place”. Matthew shared how Jesus named Himself as “greater than” and more important than the man made “temple” which was before them.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus called Himself superior to the “temple” where the Pharisees and others “worshiped God”. Jesus was the embodiment of Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, and when people were in His presence, they were within the presence of God. God desires to have a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and those who are wise shall acknowledge that Jesus Christ is greater than any physical structure that has been built to worship Him. Let everyone who reads these words begin to understand the “greatness” of Jesus who is this wonderful “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus proclaimed, “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.