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PRAISE IN THE TEMPLE Luke 2:28-40 Is there room for praise in the temple? The temple was a sacred public building. To the Jews, it was God’s dwelling place, a holy place. Scripture records that in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, and near the end, Jesus had to make room for praise in the temple. It was no longer a house of prayer and praise; it had become a den of robbers. God was robbed of praise. Speaking of the temple of His body, He declared, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” This was to signify His death on the cross and His resurrection. After Jesus cleansed the temple, there was ample room for praise. The children cried out in perfected praise, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Simeon had room for praise, and room in his arms for the infant Jesus. Led by the Spirit into the temple, He blessed God saying, “Lord, now let thou Thy servant depart in peace.” The word here means, “to free fully.” Only Jesus can set us free from the law of sin and death. Simeon believed the Promise of God come in the flesh. He knew well the prophesies that this Holy Child would be a stumbling stone, set for the fall and rising of many in Israel. It is possible that Simeon had seen corruption by the “religious leaders” who only made room in the external keeping of the law. Were they seeking the Messiah? Not those Herod consulted! Simeon prophesied that the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed. God desired room internally. For the word of God is “quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” In order to bring about a cleansing of this temple of the heart, there would be an exposure of the hidden corruption—his, mine, and yours. Then, there is ample room for praise. Likewise, Anna, who served God in the temple for years with fasting and prayers night and day, had room for praise. The Spirit drew Anna to Jesus and in that instant, in that very hour, she gave thanks unto the Lord. "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple." Anna directed God’s people to look to this Child for redemption. Through the Spirit, she recognized that her Redeemer lives. This Child would be a ransom for God’s people with the sacrifice of His own life. The temple had been her dwelling place, and her heart would be God’s dwelling place. Is there room for praise in the temple of your heart? "Ye are the temple of the living God: as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Here, the temple denotes the central sanctuary. Allow our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, ample room to fully dwell in your hearts by faith and be fully free to praise His Holy Name. God is seeking worshipers who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. ~ Rosemary Parrotta
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