A few years ago, when Notre Dame in Paris burned, I remember being in shock as I watched the steeple collapse. I will never forget sitting in that sanctuary in 2003 and feeling a sense of the presence of God. It was real in that place in a way I've never experienced in other churches. The majesty and power of the building communicated in an incredible way.
The temple in Jerusalem was like that to the Jews in the first century, only moreso. God could reside in the Holy of Holies, where even the high priest could only go once a year. It was a building of power and presence.
And yet, Jesus said every stone would be thrown down. It would not stand.
The people would have been shocked, understandably so. But Jesus was pointing beyond a building -- the Kingdom of God doesn't have power trapped in a building, but it rests in a person, in Jesus Christ, and the loss of a building doesn't derail the power of the movement. He's pointing away from buildings and to people. A building is just a building -- what it enables is what matters, but it's replaceable. The church that will stand forever -- that is comprised of people from every time and place, and that's what Jesus is focused on, and that's what we should be focused on. We should be good stewards of our buildings, and use them as helpful tools for gathering and worship and for serving, but let us not confuse the building with the purpose.
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