My Father’s House

John 2:16 To those who sold doves He  said,”Get these out of  here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market?”
John 2:30  The Jews replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body.(1)

An obvious need presents itself here to inquire after the meaning of the words “My Father’s House” as Jesus utters them in this instance, and again elsewhere throughout this Gospel. Herein, I believe is the secret that enables one to fulfill the command of Christ to “Follow Me.”

The first reference to ‘My Father’s House’ is the common usage known to all. Indeed to the Jewish participants in the present incident the ‘Father’s House’ was the temple, a place reserved for religious activities. It is a physical structure occupying measurable space in real time. A singular purpose inspires such a building project  – honoring God.  A far weightier consideration, however, looms on the horizon of human Spiritual development. There  is  found within these walls ‘ the Idea of the Holy,’ the ‘Mysterium Tremendum.’  Within these structures, so built, “the transcendent appears as a great mystery, that is, a mystery before which man both trembles and is fascinated  is repelled  and attracted.”(2) With that experience firmly fixed in the mind of worshippers,  this structure is forever set apart from all other structures and is nothing less than the dwelling place of God, or God’s House.

But then, as now, there are many whose actions decidedly will not comply with any such spiritual designation; those who determine to make no distinction between the sacred the secular. We observe this in the attempts  in our times to create  an exclusive secular society. In the Scripture under consideration, there is no hesitation, whatsoever in taking advantage of a  celebratory situation, to benefit one’s self. The  Passover is a  sacred celebration in the Jewish community and marks a pivotal moment in their collective past. It is that moment  again  when the transcendent appears to reveal Himself as the One whose mysterious Presence had led their ancestors  out of slavery in Egypt.  It is little wonder that Jesus rebelled against the intrusion of worldly, and self centered activities into the  moment when  sincere suppliants  gather seeking the awesomeness of God’s House. “How dare you turn my Father’s house into a marketplace.” Jesus rebukes them. In an instant, not only the intensity of the moment increases but the whole mystery of what Jesus means by the words ‘My Father’s House’ also deepens.

In the conversation between Jesus and his interlocutors over their use of the temple, Jesus goes one step deeper into this mystery of ‘My Father’s House.’ To the complete amazement of all who were  there, already perplexed by His zeal in defending the Temple, Jesus  adds: “Destroy this Temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” “That is not only an impossibility, but it is also entirely irrational” retorted His enemies.

It is John, known as ‘the beloved disciple,’ who enlightens us all with the most gracious of all promises. According to John, Jesus opens the door into a greater mystery than any that has gone before.  And invites us to join Him! ” Jesus,” John informs us, is using another word now to convey the thought of  “the temple,” “the House Of God,” “My Father’s House” He now uses the words ” My Body” to convey the same meaning. Here is the most glorious of all Christian truths. Here is the very epitome of the Gospel encapsulated for us and in us! It is the assimilation of the same mystery that changes bricks and mortar from being a structure in time and space to an edifice constructed to impart the Mysterium Tremendum, the transcendent, divine Presence. The divine mystery begins to unfold further revealing the ultimate challenge. Philip said to Jesus, “Show us the Father and that will satisfy us.” Jesus responded He who has seen me had seen the Father! Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me?”. (John 14: 8 – 12 ). In the final analysis is this, not the ‘ raison d’etre’ for every follower of Christ. Is our mission not merely to show the world around signs of Christ’s likeness but to be the Father who alone makes it possible for anyone to show anything of Christ’s image. I believe that Jesus’ challenge to each of His followers is to be able to say,” He who has seen me has seen the Father”! This proposition is successfully engaged by those willing to throw wide the doors of their lives and permit the Father to make His Dwelling place within. With that complete, we will go forward with one melodious song always echoing: ” In God’s House Forever more my dwelling p[lace will be “! (Psalm 23:6)
Harriet Auber expresses this great  truth:

He came sweet influence to impart,
A gracious, willing Guest,
While He can find one humble heart
Wherein to rest.

And every virtue we possess,
And every victory won,
And every thought of Holiness
Are His alone.

Spirit of purity and grace,
Our weakness pitying see;
O make our hearts Thy dwelling – place,
And worthier Thee. Amen.  (3)

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1. Holy Bible NIV  Here and in all other instances, the   quotations from the Holy Bible are from the New
International Version NIV
2.   Rudolf Otto, German theologian in THE IDEA OF

THE  HOLY. w.w.w. bytrentsacred.co.uk>otto: The Idea of the Holy
3.    Harriet Auber in Our Blest Redeemer stanzas

1,3&6. #162
in HYMNARY, United Church Of Canada.