[malakhi]

For two things were considered sacred to the Jew, the temple and the Scripture.

I disagree with this. The two most sacred things to the Jew are the Scriptures and the Covenant. The Temple is simply a place where God designated sacrifice to occur. Jews existed before the first temple, in the time between the two temples, and after the destruction of the second temple.

Good post, though. Yours?

[the808bass]

The two most sacred things to the Jew are the Scriptures and the Covenant.

Good point and thanks for the correction. I think the point stands in the main (it might even be emphasized by your point). Christ emphasized the passing nature of the place of worship (reiterated in John, "in spirit and truth") and the everlasting nature of the revelation.

[the808bass]

Yours?

I am borrowing heavily from the book "Christian Theology" by Millard Erickson. You should know I'm not that smart...