Moment of Meditation: Destroy and Rebuild (Matthew 26:60-61)

''At last two came forward and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'" (Matthew 26:60-61).''

As the Jewish Sanhedrin tried to come up with some probable cause for Jesus to be executed. They needed proof. And they needed two or three witnesses to agree (Deuteronomy 17:6).

Finally two come together and remember Jesus saying His statement from John 2. He was standing in the Temple when He said it. And the threat of destruction of property is punishable by law. Especially when it comes to the Jerusalem Temple. It was the center point of the city of Jerusalem and the region of Judea. Everything that was inherently Jewish hinged on the Temple.

With this statement, and these two witnesses, they could bring Jesus before Pilate on charges of insurrection and treason.

But the Temple was destroyed. And Jesus rebuilt it on the third day. This Temple is Jesus' body. Just as you, as a believer in Christ, are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). With His resurrection, Jesus has promised to rebuild your temple as well on the Last Day. No matter what charges lie against you. Clothed in His righteousness, you live in His forgiveness. And your temple will be raised. Amen.