Key Passage
Jesus was leaving the temple area. One of his followers said to him, “Look, Teacher! This temple has very beautiful buildings with very big stones.” Jesus said, “Are you looking at these great buildings? They will all be destroyed. Every stone will be thrown down to the ground. Not one stone will be left on another.”
— Mark 13:1-2 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Many of us today cannot imagine the splendor, the majesty, and the size of the Temple in Jesus’ day. Herod the Great, a ruthless man but a master builder, had seen to it that the Temple was rebuilt in Jerusalem. Coming from small villages or crowded cities with small houses, the Temple was a massive building to those who saw it and entered its gates. In addition, it was considered a holy place, protected by God himself. It symbolized all that the Jewish people held dear. Yet Jesus is clear in his prophecy to his closest followers.
The Temple was going to be destroyed. Not only were these words treasonous, but they were also bewildering and confusing to those who heard Jesus say them. Who would destroy it? Rome was the great power and they surely wouldn’t destroy Jerusalem, would they? Why would God let it fall into the hands of an enemy and be destroyed? But, it does happen. The strength of God’s people has never been their wealth, the armies, or their buildings; it has always been the faithfulness of their God and their faithfulness to him. In a world of economic, religious, racial, and geopolitical tumult, we must invest our lives in eternal things—spiritual things that cannot be destroyed. Buildings can be destroyed.
Prayer
O Father, help me not glory in the externals of my life, but in you, the Father and sustainer of all things. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
Ahaz was the son of Jotham. Jotham was the son of Uzziah. Rezin was the king of Aram, Pekah son of Remaliah was the king of Israel. During the time Ahaz was king of Judah, Rezin and Pekah went up to Jerusalem to fight against it. But they were not able to defeat the city. A message was told to the family of David. The message said, “The army of Aram and the army of Ephraim (Israel) have joined together. The two armies are camped together.” When King Ahaz heard this message, he and the people became very scared. They were shaking with fear like trees of the forest blowing in the wind.
Then the Lord told Isaiah, “You and your son Shear Jashub should go out and talk to Ahaz. Go to the place where the water flows into the upper pool. This is on the street going to Laundryman’s Field. “Tell Ahaz, ‘Be careful, but be calm. Don’t be afraid. Don’t let those two men, Rezin and Remaliah’s son, scare you! Those men are like two burnt sticks. In the past they were burning hot. But now they are only smoke. Rezin, Aram, and Remaliah’s son are angry. They have made plans against you. They said: We should go and fight against Judah. We will divide Judah for ourselves. We will make Tabeel’s son the new king of Judah.'” The Lord my Master says, “Their plan will not succeed. It will not happen.
It will not happen while Rezin is the ruler of Damascus. Ephraim (Israel) is now a nation, but 65 years in the future Ephraim (Israel) will not be a nation. Their plan will not succeed while Samaria is the capital of Ephraim (Israel) and while the ruler of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If you don’t believe this message then people should not believe you.” Then the Lord continued to speak to Ahaz. The Lord said, “Ask for a sign to prove to yourself that these things are true. You can ask for any sign you want. The sign can come from a place as deep as Sheol, or the sign can come from a place as high as the skies. ”
— Isaiah 7:1-11
Look at the people going down to Egypt for help. The people ask for horses. They think horses will save them. The people hope the chariots and horse soldiers from Egypt will protect them. The people think they are safe because that army is very big. The people don’t trust the Holy One of Israel (God). The people don’t ask the Lord for help.
— Isaiah 31:1
Some Jews said to Jesus, “Show us a miracle for a sign. Prove that you have the right to do these things.” Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple and I will build it again in three days.” The Jews answered, “People worked 46 years to build this temple! Do you really believe you can build it again in three days?” (But the temple Jesus meant was his own body. After Jesus was raised from death, his followers remembered that Jesus had said this. So his followers believed the Scripture {about him}, and they believed the words Jesus said.)
— John 2:18-22
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