“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:14-18).
Solomon’s construction of the temple in Jerusalem was an architectural and engineering marvel. So precise was the craftsmanship in the preparation of materials prior to their arrival at the Mount Moriah job site “no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built” (1 Kings 6:7). Using a labor force of over 150,000 (1 Kings 5:10-16), Solomon completed this massive undertaking in seven and a half years (1 Kings 6:1, 37-38).
When comparing the construction methods employed by Christ, we discover another way in which the temple Jesus built is unique and vastly superior to any other, including Solomon’s.
As described by the apostle Paul, Jesus’ temple was built personally (v. 14). No slave labor was employed. No work crew of angels was organized and pressed into participation. The Prince of peace Himself constructed His temple with His own tears, sweat, and blood.
Jesus’ temple was also constructed sacrificially (vv. 14-15). He abolished both the horizontal enmity (between Jews and Gentiles) and the vertical enmity (between God and man) in His flesh by His own death. There has never been any expense for any building project which compares to the precious blood the Lamb of God sacrificed to build His holy temple.
Jesus’ temple brought peace (vv. 14, 16-18). Humans antagonistic to each other are reconciled together in Christ. Humans antagonistic toward God are reconciled to Him in Christ.
Only Jesus has constructed a temple as He did—personally, sacrificially, and peacefully.
