Today’s reading: I Kings 6-7; Luke 23:27-38
51 Thus all the work that King Solomon did on the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, the silver, the gold, and the vessels, and stored them in the treasuries of the house of the Lord. I Kings 7:51
38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Solomon spared no expense in building and furnishing the temple of God in Jerusalem. As you read the details of the construction, the quality of the materials, the description of the workmanship, you have to marvel at the care that was taken. This was as it should be. The building was not for common use, nor for a common person. It was to be for the Lord. It was to be the permanent site of the sacrifices offered to God, the home of the Ark of the Covenant.
The completion and dedication of the temple was undoubtedly the finest hour in the golden age of the United Kingdom of Israel. So it comes as a jolt to turn to Luke and read about the crucifixion of the King of the Jews, Jesus Christ. It also occurred in Jerusalem, not far from the second temple (Solomon’s temple was burned during the Babylonian captivity).
Never was the sinfulness of mankind and the mercy of God seen more vividly side by side. On that most awful day, Jesus was watched by the crowd, scoffed at by the rulers, and mocked by the soldiers while He prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Above His head was a sign, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Solomon and his temple had not failed. His temple was as good as could be made, but it wasn’t enough. The offerings in the temples in Jerusalem merely pointed to the true Offering that would be made not by a king but of the King, Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, the perfect offering for sin.
Think about it. If you are a believer, your King offered Himself that day in your place. Be amazed.
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