April 22, 2023

Today's Reading:Psalm 84:1-4; antiphon: Psalm 84:5

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 32:1-14, Luke 6:20-38

Blessed are those who dwell in your house,ever singing your praise!  Psalm 84:4

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christ is risen! In the Old Testament, the children of Israel were very familiar with where God was located.   Psalm 84 celebrates the temple of God in Jerusalem. It begins, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies” (Ps. 84:1). This is a reference to the temple, as is made clear in the following verse: “I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD” (Ps. 84:2). Moreover, the psalm-writer adds, “What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises” (Psalm 84:4).  Later in this Psalm we hear of the sheer joy of being in the temple versus anything in this world “A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else” (Psalm 84:10).

As we read this psalm today, we might pause and say, this is nice, but is there anything here for us? Where are God’s courts today? Where is the temple for us today?

Many Christians today will emphasize that God’s temple is now your heart. Ask Jesus into your heart, and He and His father will make it your temple. This leads to Christianity solely focusing on the individual and their prayers and devotions. Because God has made himself known to us in Christ, and because the Spirit of God.

Yet, Psalm 84 shows us that God’s presence is not just for the individual but for the entire Body of Christ to participate together. This happens in the Divine Service, where Jesus meets us with His gifts of forgiveness, life, salvation, and heavenly presence.  Jesus says, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it in three days.”  The temple for us today is the flesh of Jesus, that flesh that was crucified, resurrected, ascended, and given each Lord’s day in the holy eucharist. Because Jesus is our living temple, He makes His home with us. In fact, according to the New Testament, the local church is the new temple of God: “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Thus, Psalm 84 encourages us to celebrate the presence of the Lord Jesus as we gather with God’s people.  Jesus Christ, with His Word and Sacraments, is the ultimate dwelling place of God on earth, the Word made flesh. Through Christ, we dwell in the house of the Lord forever and sing His praises.  Christ is risen! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

In His temple now behold Him; See the long-expected Lord! Ancient prophets had foretold him; God has  now fulfilled His word. Now to praise Him, His redeemèd Shall break forth with one accord.  LSB 519 vs. 1

- Pastor Kent Schaaf is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock. AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.