The Lord’s promise of a greater glory (Haggai 2:9) was awaiting the coming of the true temple, Jesus, who came to dwell among us. John writes, We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth
(John 1:14). Already at his birth, the heavenly host sang to the terrified shepherds of God’s glory and of peace on earth (Luke 2:13). But where did those shepherds then go? Not to a temple, but to a manger. And they returned to their fields, glorifying God for what they had seen and heard. Some days later the infant Jesus was taken for the first time to the temple. How did the elderly Simeon, upon whom was the Holy Spirit, describe him? A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel
(Luke 2:32). As Haggai had foretold, the glory of the Lord had once more returned to the temple to establish peace for the world.1 Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem bringing gifts and treasures for the newborn king of glory.
Years later, the glory of the Lord would return to the temple, but not in the brilliant spectacle of a glory-cloud. Rather, in humility, on a donkey. Israel’s salvation, our salvation, could only arrive through the humiliation and sacrificial death of the King.
And so what happened on that Good Friday? The sun was darkened, and the earth shook. In that moment, when the Prince of glory died, God began to overturn the old order of sin and death. In Christ, God established the kingdom of peace. Christ is himself our peace, he makes peace, and he proclaims peace (Ephesians 2:14–17). Because in the end, our God is not so interested in precious metals from the nations. He wants fallen sinners from all nations, to be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. So his gospel of peace is now preached to Israel and every tribe, tongue, and nation
9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’”