The setting of the altar and the offering of sacrifice was
most important to the people, "for fear was on them because of the peoples
of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt
offerings morning and evening." Was
there an element of superstition in their worship? Perhaps, but it was motivated by faith that
the Lord would protect them from these peoples.
They had to feel incredibly vulnerable with no military of their own, no
real way to protect themselves from any who would come against them. It is easy to picture a dystopian scene, an
empty city, few buildings, only the walls up around them, the people gathering
around the altar to offer their sacrifices together as they began and ended
each day of rebuilding and restoring the city.
This act was that which bound them together, made them truly a people
distinct from all others on earth, the central acts of their daily lives. As the temple foundations were laid the
people gathered for worship. The crowd
responded to the worship leaders with “For he is good, for his steadfast love
endures forever toward Israel.” It may
not have been completely obvious in that setting but they knew it was indeed
true. Those who recalled the former
glory wept at what was and those who had not shouted for joy for what is. Sometimes we need a fresh set of eyes to see
properly and that often requires putting away the memory of what was in order
to see what can be.
Had anyone seen anything like this, the healing of a
demon-oppressed blind and deaf man? And the
reaction of some was that this was done not by the power of God but by
Beelzebul. How could anyone think such a
thing? What possible reason would the
prince of demons have for wanting this man relieved and healed? Logically it makes no sense. The Pharisees, however, cannot see what is
right in front of them because they already have an opinion that won't be changed. If they cannot recognize such spiritual
matters then what right have they to be leaders among the people? Jesus is clear that we need to have
spiritual discernment. As He says this
is the unpardonable sin, we must consider the reality of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is co-equal with God if
blasphemy against Him is even possible and He is an independent
"person" in the sense that Jesus points not at Himself here but at
the Spirit. Sometimes when God does a
new thing it takes some time for Pharisees to get on board.
Paul writes his final instructions to the church at Corinth,
a church in the midst of a pagan people.
They, unlike the Jews of Ezra's day, aren't constructing buildings but
are simply gathering as one. Paul commends
some as leaders, Timothy, Apollos, Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus who are
to be followed for their example. They needed
no temple because they are the temple of God, to know the presence of God they
only needed one another. They were to have
no fear, to be strong, to act like men. The
Holy Spirit was the power that kept fear at bay but they moved beyond fear to
boldness. Security and safety weren't their
concerns, but rather the kingdom that was to come. Their joy was to proclaim that kingdom come
what may in this life. As Christians we
don't mourn what was, we long for what will be.
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