some thoughts

In his Christologia, John Owen writes:

For if Christ be the rock whereon the church is built, whereas he is a living stone, those that are laid and built on him must be lively stones also, as [Peter] assures us, [1 Peter 2:4,5]; they must be like unto Christ himself, partaking of his nature, quickened by his Spirit, so, as it were, to be bone of his bones, and flesh of his flesh: Ephesians 5:30. Nor can any be built on him but by a living faith, effectual in universal obedience. These things the generality of men like not at all; and, therefore, the fabric of the living temple on this foundation is usually but small, seldom conspicuous or outwardly glorious. (Works I.31-32)

I love the imagery involved when thinking about the church as God’s “house” or temple. Just as the Old Covenant contained an architectural blueprint for a physical temple to house the glory of God’s Spirit, so also the New Covenant contains–rather, is–an architectural blueprint for the building of God’s living temple; the church. In the former, specific instructions about how to cut, chisel, overlay, etc. are given; in the latter we’re giving specific instructions about what to cut and chisel out of our minds, hearts and lives, and with what we’re to be ‘overlaid:’ Christ, the firstborn of the New Creation. In the former, there are instructions about how to assemble the tabernacle, upon what foundations it is to be set up and with what materials; in the latter we’re told how to gather, assemble, and ‘maintain the integrity,’ of the church, upon what foundations and with which supports it is to be held up, and that it is to be fashioned with the materials of grace, truth, and love.

We’re built upon Christ, the rejected foundation-stone (which no other foundation can be laid, but that which has been laid), we the saints who are lively stones–to be built into the glorious New Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God. “We aren’t going to be in the New Jerusalem, we’re going to be the New Jerusalem.” (Lee Irons) And that’s the purpose of it all: a shared space, a place and a life of communion with our Creator-King, our Covenant Lord, Jesus Christ. It is this goal that God has been teaching us, and bringing us toward, ever since Genesis 1: it’s a consummation of all things into the glorious, post-work, glorified and everlasting Sabbath rest. We are to finally–fully, and forever–join him there, “where he is.”

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3, ESV)

Amazing.