If this is the Temple
I’m told I’m a temple,
The Temple of God
Well if this is true
Then there’s much I find odd
Housekeeping stuff like
Where to burn my offering
Or where to intercede
For the brethren’ suffering?
Where do I store
The grain for the Priests?
What do I do
When it’s time for the Feasts?
Where should I stand
So that I’m not struck down
When the Priest’s preparation
Makes God frown
Where are the gentiles
Allowed to stand?
Or place money changers
So coins can trade hands?
Where will Nero
Erect his abomination?
In plain sight
Of the Israelite Nation?
My body is one
But the Covenants are two:
Which should I follow,
The Old or the New?
The Temple of Solomon
Is no longer there!
Not a wall is left,
The stones were stripped bare!
So where do I go
For the Passover Feast
Which direction to travel,
North, south, west or east?
Where do I atone
For the sins of the people?
There is no altar,
Not even a steeple
I do recall a story
Of a Man on a Cross
Claiming “Paid in Full”
So none may be lost!
So my sin is forgiven
Not just punishment delayed
He was pierced by the nails
And cut by the blade
My Mouth preaches Grace
My mind receives Peace
When my hands touch the sky
His Mercy is released
My eyes await the Glory
Of the coming of the Lord
My feet await instructions
For which direction to go toward
My ears are attentive, to
Rightly discern the Word of Truth
But some of your doctrine
Makes God sound aloof
You keep from the Old
The parts that you prefer
And when in conflict with the New
On that, you defer
Finding it easier to question
My commitment to the Lord
Rather than revisiting
Your understanding of the Word
On matters like Murder,
Jesus said “hate” was equivalent
And on matters of “divorce”
You say he was ambivalent
On matters of taxes
You call Him Republican,
On matters of State
You call Him an Anglican
On matters of Kingdom
You brand Him “cryptic”
On matters of Earth,
He’s labeled “apocalyptic”
You sway and you move Him
While you build His media profile
Overlooking the fact that
You haven’t spoken in a while
‘Cause if you had
You would’ve clearly heard
What His intentions were
For you to do with His Word
You slice and dice it
For your own convenience
You preach to them Brimstone
While He’s telling you Lenience
You like the tithe
Because it brings in the dough
But if I ask “why no circumcision”
You reply “Do you not know?!”
Paul said that circumcision
Is “done of the heart!”
So, do I cut off a piece?
Where do I start?
No, I’m just joking!
I’m not Nicodemus,
But to hear your sermons
I feel there are Jews among us!
“The Old Covenant is fulfilled
Not abolished, don’t you see?
It all went away When Jesus died for you and me!”
I’m so glad you mentioned that,
I was thinking the same thing,
I assume you give value
To Jesus’ suffering!
What Jesus told the woman
He found at Jacob’s well:
The only place you can’t worship
Would have to be hell!
“The Time is coming
And is nowhere,
That to worship the Father
You don’t have to be near”
True worshippers will worship
“In Spirit and in Truth”
When the Spirit is poured out
On the old and the youth
My reasonable service
Is a “living” sacrifice
No of goat or of lamb,
Only my body will suffice
So, our bodies are Temples
Of the Holy Spirit
But if the Temple’s inside,
How do I go near it?
How do I offer a sacrifice?
On this Altar made of flesh?
Let me just rip it out!
I want to start afresh!
Again, just in jest
It’s not the “Temple of Doom”
No need to mutilate
Or return to the womb!
“We bring the sacrifice of praise
Unto the House of the Lord”
Where is this Temple
So I can be restored?
The Kingdom of Heaven
Is inside of me!
So no mint or cumin, no tithing,
Can’t you see?
Oh, yes, Melkezedek,
You chose to misunderstand!
Jacob did it from the heart,
Not out of command!
Jacob was blessed
So he blessed Him back!
What do you give a Man
That knows no lack?!
A tenth was not enough!
He should’ve given it all!
Isn’t the rain in the sky,
Waiting on instructions to fall?
You give your tithe
Therefore you’re under the Law!
However, my sins are forgiven,
I no longer have that flaw!
You know all the right words
To condemn me of sin
And forget to teach me
That my Altar is within
I’m saved by Grace
And then you spew me the Torah
Of course, churches are empty!
You’d rather light the Menorah!
Then to share freely
What you freely received
The gift of the Spirit
The first day you believed!
You fear for the church building
With no compassion for man,
Is this what was taught to you
From the Great I Am?
Even the Crusaders accepted
That the Kingdom of Heaven
Was not made of stones
Or of bread needing leaven
In the Temple of the Lord
The Altar is made of Love
So do unto others
What you require from Above
When there’s too much month
At the end of your money
Reach down inside
And pull up some honey
For He will never guide you
Where He will not provide,
You want the church to stay open
There’s no need for the tithe!
We tell and retell
These miracles of old
These are not just stories
That you were once told!
The same God that provided
Water out of wine
Will ensure there’s enough
On your table to dine
The oil did not run out
‘Til the famine was over
So you shouldn’t fear
A hostile takeover
You do not know
The plans God has for you
So you just do your part
And He’ll do His part too!
If this is the Temple
Of the Spirit of El Elion
Make sure you keep it tidy
With no sign of rebellion
God cannot work
Where there is unbelief
Neither will He settle
For a simple fig leaf
Give unto Caesar
What Caesar is due
But don’t neglect to give God
What is expected of you!
To come in His presence
With thanksgiving, in your heart
And your Reasonable Service?
Is that your life be set apart!
Read: God of Heaven
Bondservant to Jesus Christ, Married to Michele, Dad to Madelyn, Claudia, and Joseph and educator by trade, apologist by calling and saved by Grace. Antonio loves to read, write, and discuss all-things-apologetics. He has many passions in life including reaching, teaching, and keeping men for Jesus Christ. Waiting on God’s big reveal: Antonio knows He has something beautiful in mind.