2 Chronicles 3:17

REFLECTIONS

How is it possible, dearest Jesus, to behold the account of this temple; to behold the hallowed spot oh which it was built; to mark the dimensions; to observe the most holy place, and the vail, which at thy crucifixion was rent in twain, as a token that all separation between God and his people was forever done away; without having our very souls led out to thee, and to mark all the lovely features of thy Person and work, thus shadowed forth in the ancient building of Solomon's temple? Do I behold thee, thou dearest Lord, in substance of our flesh, entering into the temple! Do I see thee going on to Mount Calvary for a sacrifice! Do I hear thee say, Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days! Do I behold the vail of the temple rent at thy death and shall I not in all these, see that everything in Solomon's temple was intended to typify, and represent thy Person, and offices, and relations, and characters! Yes! blessed Jesus, this, with all its superb furniture and ornaments, was but the shadow; it is thou that art the substance, and in thee most plainly is set forth the whole to which these things ministered. Condescend, Holy Saviour! to bring my soul from the ministry of these things, to be more and more acquainted with thee. And as the mind of Jehovah was thus occupied in directing the structure of an earthly house, to represent thy glory, oh! that thou wouldest lead forth my soul to the beholding in it, what sets forth the heavenly temple of thy body. Lord grant that I may be growing up to thee in all things. Be thou my God, my holy one, the foundation, the top stone, the all in all, of the spiritual building, that I may be found in thee, and united to thee forever.