We cannot begin to understand just how deeply this statement of Jesus' must have moved the disciples. Let me tell you why.
When the Temple was built under King David's son Solomon, it was built to be THE most magnificent structure in the entire world. Imagine building a HOUSE for God. It was incredible! Nearly everything (walls and doors) overlaid with solid gold. When the light would hit the walls of the Temple of God they came alive - it must have been breathtaking! The angels that had been hammered into the gold must have looked like they were singing and dancing on the walls of this incredible structure.
To suggest that the most well known and beautiful structure of it's day (actually is supposed to be the most beautiful structure ever built) that was the place where God Himself chose to dwell would be destroyed was unheard of and, as we say, "them's fighting words!"
But it reinforces something to me that we must always remember. If God was willing to see His own Temple be destroyed it must mean that He is not nearly as caught up in buildings as we are. And it reminds me that this building we have, and any place we might call home in the future, is just a building - a stone. The stones may be put together well, they may have cost us dearly, but it's still just stone.
The Bible says that we (you and me) like stones are being built by God through the Holy Spirit, into a spiritual house. One that will not ever be destroyed. So, whether we meet here or not. Whether the building meets our needs or not. Whether we've put lots of money into or not. It's not the thing that will last. It's not what makes a church the house of God. You and I - we are the church. The building is just a garage, it stores what's most important - but it's not important by itself.
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