II Chronicles 7  When Solomon finished his prayer of dedication, God responded by sending fire to consume the burnt offering and sacrifices.  The temple had already been filled with the cloud, but the "glory of the Lord filled the house"  again.  It was so magnificent that every person immediately fell on their face and worshiped the Lord. 

After seven days of observing the feast, a final day of "a solemn assembly" was observed and then all the people were sent home.  It was at this time that the Lord spoke to Solomon saying, "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice." 

In Deuteronomy 12:5 the Lord said, ".. you shall seek the Lord at the place which the Lord your God shall choose from all your tribes, to establish His name there for His dwelling, and there you shall come."  Now,  at this place and at this time, the Lord said to Solomon.. "I.. have chosen this place.."  

The temple was meant to be a place of worship.  The sacrifices were necessary because of sin. The only way that relationship could be restored between a sinful man and God. .was the shedding of blood.  This chosen place was to be where that relationship would be restored.. the place of worship and sacrifice. 

This brings to mind John 4:20-24 when the Samaritan woman speaks to Jesus about worship.. "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship."  Jesus revealed that a change was coming.. and had come by His Presence.. "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers." 

In Matthew 12 Jesus made three powerful statements. In verse 6 He said.. "But I say to you, that something greater than the temple is here."  In v41 He said, ".. behold something greater than Jonah is here."  And  in verse 42 He said, ".. behold, something greater than Solomon is here." 

Solomon's temple was gone. Herod's temple would soon be destroyed. The "Greater" one.. Jesus Christ, the  "Servant whom I have chosen" ( Matthew 12:18).. is the same.. yesterday, today, and forever... and He is here!  In Him we come to the Father as true worshipers.. no longer to a building or a city, but to the Son of the Living God.  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, we worship You. Great are You Lord and greatly to be praised! In Christ we come to seek Your face, to bring our supplications, and to give You our thanksgiving.  In Christ, we pray for forgiveness and restoration, for healing and for holy lives that please You.  We pray for Your Kingdom to come, for Your will to be done, and for Your Name to be glorified in all the earth. Keep us in Your ways, and let the glory of the Lord  fill these "temples" as we offer our bodies as living and holy sacrifices to You.. in Jesus' name. Amen.