Something Greater Than the Temple Is Here

a parent and a child kneading dough

One sabbath, as the disciples walked in a field, they plucked grain to eat. The Pharisees didn’t like this. They charged the disciples with doing what was unlawful on the sabbath. Jesus’ response was to say, “Haven’t you read in the law how the priests in the temple profane the sabbath and are blameless” (Matthew 12:5)? After establishing this truth he said to the Pharisees, “But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here.” 

Now you might say, “Oh to be there with Christ on that day. What glory it would have been to walk in those fields with him, the greater temple, how wonderful it would be to eat that grain alongside him.” But I say to you, here you are, and something greater than the temple is here. Here you are and you will eat something greater than what the disciples ate that day.

Paul says “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:16)?

As you come to eat this bread and drink this cup, you will spiritually feed upon Christ crucified. As the priests in the temple would eat their portion of the sacrifice. So you as a royal priesthood today are assembled as the new covenant temple, and you will eat of the sacrifice. 

Imagine how giddy the disciples must have been as they tasted that grain on that sabbath day and heard Jesus vindicate their fellowship with him. And come now with that kind of gratitude and gladness, taste this bread on this sabbath day knowing that something greater than the temple is here. Come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ.