16 "Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is bound by the oath.' 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but whoever swears by the gift on the altar is bound by the oath.' 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by the one who sits on it.
(Jerusalem- Model of the Temple- where Jesus said these words)
Thoughts: Seeing what is most valuable and what is of secondary value is very important in life. The Pharisees valued the gold of the temple more than the temple itself. God's presence in the temple and in heaven made those places of more value than gold or any gift given to God. The greatest value of all goes beyond this time and this earth- it is the eternal God. In a secular age we value worldly success above success in the eyes of God. But we need to look harder and see that pleasing the eternal God is a far greater reward than anything this world can offer. So Jesus says in another place, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these (other things) will be added to you as well" (Mt. 6:33).
Prayer: Lord, help me to see the true value of things and of you.
John Calvin abridged: It is natural for us to corrupt worship. A brighter mirror of God's glory is found in the presence of God in the temple and heaven than in other things.
(Jerusalem- Model of the Temple- where Jesus said these words) 
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