WE YOUR TEMPLE

8/21/2023

Yesterday I went to a Hindu temple in Bali called Pura Luhur Uluwatu. As we walked along the Cliffside overlooking the Indian Ocean the sun began its swift and brilliant descent over the horizon. We were lost for words by the majesty of the view. Bright pink flowers cover the cliffside and turn into green and grey rocks on the shore far below. The stone walkways were laid with offerings to the Hindu gods and inscents decorated the air. In all honesty, as I marveled at the splendor, there came a moment when I selfishly thought of the one I worship, Jesus. I wished I could create a temple this magnificent in his name. Looking out at the sea and sky that He so tenderly birthed out of darkness, I thought that He is so deserving of such a temple.

There’s a song that sings, “oh the glory of your presence, we your temple give you reverence”. I have heard scripture of the body as God’s temple before (as in 1 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 19). I mostly heard it referenced in conversations of sobriety, modesty or sanctification. Today, however, as I heard these words I was struck by the beauty of it. That God would prefer to reveal His splendor through us, that we would be the ultimate display of His glory through the gospel, His masterpiece as He says in Ephesians (chapter 2 verse 10); as I thought about it today I realized it as God wishing to honor us, to call us most beautiful, most sacred, most beloved, a sanctuary for Him to find rest in. It was one of those times when the word becomes rema - alive in your spirit - and it stirred my soul so that I was moved to tears.