Ezekiel 44: Access and Worship
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
This chapter of Ezekiel’s prophecy goes into meticulous detail about who is admitted into the Temple and how. There is no doubt that entering into God’s presence is special. Nor is there any doubt that the Jewish people will see to it that this strict code is obeyed. The closed gate is reserved for God himself; only the prince may sit down in it to eat his meal in the presence of the Lord. He must enter by way of the vestibule of the gate, and leave by the same way. How fortunate we are – as New Testament people – to have the freedom to enter the Temple at all times. How blessed we are to be temples that the Lord God loves to visit. How wonderful the gift of God’s Spirit that settles into us to take up residence in the temple of self that we prepare.
Paul has much to tell us about our temple union with Christ. From his first letter to the Corinthians (3:16-17; 6:19): Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Paul also writes to the Ephesians (2:21-22) that in Christ the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
There is no doubt that once Christ has entered the Temple Ezekiel so carefully describes, we are admitted with him. As Christ’s adopted sisters and brothers, we have been bought at a great price, we are pearls of immense value, and we are welcomed in the sanctuary of the Lord, the arms of Christ.
Let us remember this as we pray . . .
Holy and sacred God, you want us to be with you fully in eternity; give us the patience to persevere in our journey with you.
Good and generous God, you forgive us endlessly for our many faults and errors; give us the love to forgive all those who have done us harm.
Constant and abiding God, you accompany us now in our sorrows and our joy; give us the faith to follow you wherever you ask us to go.
We welcome you into the humble temple of self that we have prepared for you. Take up residence there and guide us in our passage to you. Grant us eternal access to your wisdom and grace; keep us close to you and call us to worship you in thanksgiving. For your goodness and compassion are abundant. Your presence and kindness are healing. Your love and counsel are comforting. Be with us now and always. Amen.
Images from: https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/lavish-second-temple-period-building-found-by-western-wall-in-jerusalem-673205 and http://www.theimpactpodcast.com/tip033-resting-in-the-arms-of-god/
A re-post from October 4, 2011.
The Noontimes 