II The temple

About the artwork

What you see in this image is what remains of the Temple built by Herod, now known as the Western Wall. The Jewish people revere this wall because it is believed to be the closest wall of the Sacred building that surrounded the Holy of Holies. Jesus spent time here even as a child, referring to this place as “His Fathers house” when Mary and Joseph were searching for Him in the account known as “The Finding of Jesus in the Temple”. This account reveals to us the divine wisdom and knowledge of Jesus at such a young age. The gospel of Luke says “They found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers listening and asking questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers” Later, when Mary and Joseph find him they ask “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” and Jesus replies; “Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?” The Temple has many correlations and relevance to the life of Jesus, but most importantly it is a prefigurement of Jesus Himself. The book of Revelation says “I did not see a temple in the city because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” Jesus is the new temple, carrying the presence of God. Through His sacrifice, we too have the opportunity in our lives to carry the presence of God through a relationship with His son.