From Matthew 12:1-8 / Something Greater Part 1

The entire portion of 12:1-42 should be considered in terms of the triple repetition. 3 Times we read from Jesus’ lips that He is “greater than.”

vs. 6 – Something greater than the Temple is here –

vs. 41 – Something greater than Jonah is here –

vs. 42 – Something greater than Solomon is here.

Preachers, you might want to say something about the nature of repetition in the Bible as a means of emphasis. Since the original texts did not have devices like italics, bolding, highlighting, etc., repetition was the chief means. Note too that each of the points listed below could be expanded upon if this was a stand alone sermon, or kept in briefer form if the sermon encompasses all three – Temple, Jonah and Solomon.

Consider just the first today: 1 – Something Greater than The Temple is here.

The key point in this potion is that the reality is always to be considered above the symbolic. Symbols point to things, they are not the things themselves. And Jesus is saying that the Temple with all of its grandeur and divine appointment was never meant to be an end in itself, but is a symbol of that which is fulfilled in Christ.

All of the Temple rites and rituals were meant to display something about Him! He was the REAL the types and shadows here were pointing to.

The Jews for the most part had missed this. The Temple as the very center of their society represented far more than sacrifice only.

But just think for a moment how it is that Jesus is the “greater than” the Temple was pointing to. It is profoundly sweet and glorious.

1 – God’s presence was to be found in the Holy of Holies: Here, Christ far excels – He brings and actually IS, God’s presence out among men. Remember the angel speaking to Joseph in Matt. 1?

‌Matthew 1:20–23 / But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

‌2 – The Temple had a lampstand in the Holy Place: But in John 8:12 and 9:5 – Jesus said HE is the Light of the World. John 8:12 / Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” And as 2 Cor. 4:6 notes: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

‌3 – The Temple had a table of shewbread: In John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

4 – The Temple had an altar of incense: Heb. 7:25 says: Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

‌5 – The Temple had the Ark of the Mosaic Covenant: Christ Himself is the New Covenant – ratified in His own blood – 1 Cor. 11:25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

‌6 – The Temple had the blood of bulls and goats on the mercy seat: Christ’s blood is on the mercy seat of the New Covenant, and it cleanses from all things which could not be cleansed under the Old.

7 – The Temple was the place of sacrifices: But Christ is the final sacrifice, and is the very mercy of God poured out in full. Jesus is the one Romans 3:25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

‌This is how man-made religion always errs – it makes the instruments of religion more important than the One that religion is meant to serve, and the people it is meant to bless.

‌In this case, how can the regulations of the Temple be more important than the God the Temple is made for?

‌And how can the regulations of the Temple be more important than the people God intends the Temple to bless?

When we get these upside down, legalism reigns.

‌In fact – as Jesus says here – He is actually the Lord of The Sabbath and can administrate it as He sees fit – and so His disciples were doing nothing other than what He was allowing right at that moment!

‌Something greater than the Temple is here indeed – Christ Himself is here!