In the four gospels–Matthew, Mark, Luke and John–Jesus "cleansed" the temple, denouncing its abuse. A few hundred years earlier, the prophet Jeremiah was instructed by the Lord to prophesy against those who were making the house of the Lord "a den of robbers." The worshippers were warned, "Do not trust in these deceptive words: This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord." (Jeremiah 7:4)
They could not commit murder, adultery or other abominations and then come to the house of worship and claim to be saved or delivered. What both Jeremiah and Jesus were sharply stating to the people was no one must use a sanctuary, a place of prayer or sacrifice, as a safety net or a hideout. Jesus spoke of his body as a temple. After cleansing the temple in the gospel according to John, Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2 :l9) Of course this confused his listeners, for they were unaware he was speaking of his body. Later, in John, when the Samaritan woman at the well mentioned the two temples built on two mountains Jesus taught her that true worshippers must worship the Father "in spirit and in truth."
The temple was highly cherished by the nation. It symbolised God's presence and providence, his covenant and all that their religious yearnings and traditions meant. It was the perfect place for worship and sacrifice. Jesus caused serious offence to religious leaders when he offered forgiveness to people whenever they showed repentance for their sins and wherever they happened to be. No ceremony, no ritual and rite was involved. We have to be careful about limiting God's presence and our adoration to special places. God does not dwell in temples made by hands. His presence fills the world. In the account of the transfiguration, Jesus took Peter, James and John to a high mountain and as he was praying when his appearance changed and his clothes became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus. The disciples saw the glory of Jesus as they had never experienced before. Peter thought this whole episode should be preserved and suggested three tents be built on that spot immediately. But a voice spoke to them saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen One, listen to him!" (Luke 9 v 28�36 )
This was a reminder to the disciples that their obligation was not to preserve wonders and glories with buildings, but to listen to Jesus and follow him obediently.
We realise that the early followers of Jesus did not speak of attending church, but rather of being church. The church, the saints, the believers met at houses and other places agreed upon.
Peter, in his letter, told the new believers they were like "living stones being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2 :4,5) When Paul chastised the Corinthians for their moral failings, especially their sexual immorality, he asked them, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" (1 Cor 6 :19)
He invited the Ephesians to be imitators of God; to walk in love, to be "a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5 :1,2)
Our body is a temple. Our actions and words are a sacrifice. This means we cannot escape responsibility for our actions and example as followers of Jesus Christ, whose body was also a temple. Let us not use our ornate buildings to conceal or pretend we are concealing our true selves from the God, who is always and everywhere present. Jesus seeks to cleanse the physical and spiritual temple.