The Fire of True Worship

“The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body.”  John 2:18-21How heartbreaking to hear that the Cathedral of Notre Dame at more than 850 years of age was destroyed by a massive fire. It was one of the most notable monuments in Europe and in one fatal incident, what was once the mecca of worship for thousands, now lay in ruins. It was the common place where many believers flocked to reverently exercise their faith, now, it is going to take years to rebuild. Approximately two thousand years ago there was another temple that risked destruction.People were turning the Lord’s house into a market place. He was infuriated and drove them out but the Jews were angered. They wanted proof demonstrating His right to do this. Jesus told them “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days”. They didn’t understand that He was talking about His body not a physical structure. They questioned Him telling him it took forty-six years to build that temple, how was He going to raise it in three days.The Cathedral of Notre Dame is slated to take years to be rebuilt but it is a stark reminder that it is not the physical structure where worship begins. Worship begins in our spirit, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).” As we head into Easter Sunday we are reminded of Jesus and His resurrection and with His resurrection came a promise, eternal life.The Cathedral of Notre Dame lay in ruins today but our worship will not be diminished, it will not lie in ashes, for we will sing praises to God who is alive and lives in our hearts. May the embers of His spirit burn brightly as we celebrate the risen Savior. Our faith will not be snuffed out.