The choice is among four. The temple was the center of worship of the Jews. Jesus affirmed its worth by driving out the merchants and money changers who profaned it ([#3] Jn 2:13-22), but went beyond it by establishing a worship "in spirit and truth" that was not dependent on the temple or on any particular place ([#4] Jn 4:19-24). The church building is not the house of God but the home of his people, a home in which the sinner especially finds welcome, repentance, and a new life ([#2] Lk 19:1-10). All who gather for worship must first seek reconciliation, or their worship is valueless ([#1] Mt 5:23-24).

The six selections convey various aspects of Jewish faith and worship relating to God’s dwelling with his people: a location or a building signifying God’s presence ([#1] Gn 28:11-18; [#3] 2 Chr 5:6-10, 13-6:2; and [#6] Ez 43:1-2, 4-7), the altar as central point of worship ([#4] 1 Mac 4:52-59), and a realization that God transcends any particular place ([#2] 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30; and [#5] Is 56:1, 6-7).

These four selection affirm that God’s people themselves, not any particular place, make up his favored dwelling ([#1] 1 Cor 3:9-13, 16-17; and [#4] 1 Pet 2:4-9). Thus all people everywhere are invited to be God’s home ([#2] Eph 2:19-22) where the new covenant in Jesus blood is continued ([#3] Heb 12:18-19, 22-24).

1. How is a building symbolic of the people who gather there?

2. Where do you personally feel closest to God? Why?