Divine Renovation Quote on Inclusion

The very architecture of the temple communicated this theology of exclusion. Gentiles could ascend to the sacred Temple Mount and be present in what was known as “The Court of the Gentiles,” but were forbidden to enter the gates of the Temple… After the Court of the Gentiles was the Court of the Women, then the Court of the Israelites, to which only Jewish men could be admitted. Next was the Court of the Priests, and lastly the Holy of Holies, into which only the High Priest could enter once a year. The Holy of Holies originally housed the Ark of the Covenant in Solomon’s Temple, and was separated by a veil, the same veil that was torn in two when Jesus died on the cross. By his death and resurrection, Jesus allows the temple of his body to be destroyed and rebuilt so that in his person, he manifests the new temple of God, where earth is joined to heaven. In this temple there are no more walls of separation (Ephesians 2:14). There is now no Jew and Greek, no male and female (Galatians 3:28). All are priests and have access to the Holy of Holies. Jesus fulfills in his person the destiny of Israel. All of the ancient prophecies of radical inclusion are fulfilled exclusively by this only Son of God, the Son of David, Jesus the Messiah. The mission of inclusion is handed on to the New Israel, the ones who are called out by Jesus, his ekklesia, to go and make disciples of all nations. But then, we too would eventually forget this and become satisfied with keeping it all for ourselves.