Thursday, September 5, 2013

A Carpenter and an Old Barn



Drive around in the country and you will see all kinds of barns – new, old, big, small.  I have always loved the look of old barns. They seem to stand in defiance of all that is growing and changing around them. They are still standing, but definitely in need of repair. I wonder if that is how we look to God?

In Jesus’ day there was an old barn of sorts that needed repair.  It stood in Jerusalem and it was magnificent.  But, Jesus saw the shortcomings. Jesus saw the need for repair. Jesus knew that no facelift would repair this structure.  The problem was that no one else noticed the problem.  But the problem was clearly evident to the Master Carpenter. 

Outwardly, the temple was spectacular, but inwardly spiritual decay had undermined the original plans for the building:  

  • God’s presence and holiness dwelt there
  • Sacrifices for human sin were offered there
  • The faithful worshiped and prayed there
  • It was a refuge in desperate times
  • It represented God’s covenant in stone and timber
This repair would be easy – tear it down and start over. 
Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."  John 2:19 NIV

Remember the carpenter? You know the one who learned how to work with wood, how to use the tools of the trade, how to plan a project and see it complete?  Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth, actually finished the amazing rebuilding process in three days. When Jesus arose from the dead, He completed the project and restored the temple to its original purpose:

  • The fullness of God dwells in Jesus
  • Jesus’ death was the once and for all sacrifice for all of human sin
  • God receives our worship and prayer through Jesus
  • Jesus is the refuge and safe haven for all who trust in Him
  • Jesus is God’s covenant revealed in flesh and blood
The truth is we are all like the temple of old and each of us are in need of repair. The decay is on the inside.  It is not visible on the outside,but the resulting decay caused by sin is causing our bodies to die. The result of sin is death.  

We are all in need of repair whether we are willing to acknowledge it or not. Unfortunately in this world we have become so addicted to the ease by which repairs are made and the easy access to quick repairs that we have forgotten the real cost involved in making repairs. 

We all seem to someone that will make our repairs easy for us.  So, we make repairs in the name of religion, spiritualism, good works, good morals, church attendance, you name it. In the end these all become cheap repairs that will not last. For real repair will come at a cost. 

Grace and mercy are not cheap. 

BUT they can come easy to those that admit they are in need of repair. 
Jesus completed the most important repair in the history of man – the rebuilding of the temple and he did it in three days flat. 

Are you in need of repair?  

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. 
The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
 
I know a guy.  He’s a carpenter from Nazareth.  Do you know Him?

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