Not many days in American history evoke the memories as does September 11, 2001. That would be a dark time for our country, a day of terrorism on a scale beyond our comprehension, a day of death and fear. But in the aftermath of those horrific attacks, an iconic image of weary first responders raising an American flag over the rubble of what was the World Trade Center would fill a void, provide a symbol of hope and strength to millions of Americans struggling to come to grips with what had taken place. The ground zero flag went missing for years, but in November of 2014, a man who would choose to remain anonymous, dropped off a flag at a fire station in Everett, Washington. Through photographs, eyewitness accounts, and DNA evidence, that flag would be authenticated and now hangs on display at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, still a symbol of hope, reaffirming that a nation could rebuild, recover, and endure.
After Jerusalem fell to the Chaldeans, the temple became a similar symbol of hope to an exiled people. As they returned to their land, there was much expectation that by rebuilding the temple the national and spiritual life of the nation could be revitalized. After the “builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD,” some shouted for joy as a new day was dawning for the Jewish nation, while the “ancient men, who had seen the first house” wept, for they remembered the glory of Solomon’s Temple, and this temple would pale in comparison. But the prophet Haggai would add new hope for this reconstructed temple, as he declares that the “glory of this later house shall be greater than the former.” This new temple would indeed surpass the glory of Solomon’s Temple, not due to the outward appearance, but because of Who would someday walk within its walls. Haggai saw clearly that in this temple, restored by Zerubbabel and later by Herod, the Lord would “give peace.”
The peace the Lord promised Haggai was the Prince of Peace, revealed centuries later within those completed walls as Simeon, a man “just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel,” would stand in that temple and hold the promised Messiah, the Christ child, “in his arms.” The aged prophetess, Anna, would also speak “of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Within these rebuilt walls would walk the One Who would be “a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
I too, can see why Haggai saw glory in this temple, “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” And because of that sacrifice offered on my behalf, I can now house His blessed Spirit and share Haggai’s vision of Hope!
John 1:14 And the Word was flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.”
Thank You, Lord, that the Word came to dwell with us, to suffer, die, and rise again for us, securing my salvation and my eternity. I praise God that my eyes have seen Your salvation!