Not to Tear Down

Ezra 4 is not a type; it means what it meant. But it does have some topics of invention, so to speak, related to resistance that have analogy in the Lord building up believers as His temple. Building that temple relates to the Lord’s Table.

[you are] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:20–21 ESV)

First, not everyone is part of the temple. Just because they say they are or say they want to be, doesn’t mean they are welcome to share communion. The temple includes those in Christ, and it is in Christ through the cross that the temple is built.

Second, and most burdensome in my mind, there is great discouragement levied against the temple building. What’s worse, the discouragement is coming from inside the house.

This is where pastors strip faith of its progress by trying to strain it through doubt-raising sermons and myopic introspection at the Lord’s Supper. They think they are taking communion so seriously that no brick is ever perfectly placed, and then little to no progress is ever actually made.

When that happens Christians are weakened at the Supper rather than strengthened.

The Lord did not institute this remembrance of Him for our discouragement. For that matter, the Lord did not endure the cross and the shame so that the temple would always know that it could have been better. Christ died and rose again that He might save His people unto their union with Him and their joyful unity with one another.

In [Christ] you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22 ESV)

Rejoice, and be glad in Him.