Mark 13:1-8
The Destruction of the Temple Foretold
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’
When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?’ Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
Reflection
Jesus delves into prophecy. It seems a prophecy in a couple of ways. The fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and Jesus' return in glory. And when this passage is read, it's easy for me to see it in a couple of ways also. First as Jesus speaking to the people of the day in the events of the day and secondly as Jesus speaking to me in the events of my time. Think of how this would be applied to people throughout time up to today. Would they hear Jesus speaking only to those of his day? Would they hear Jesus speaking directly to them of their day? Would they hear Jesus speaking throughout all time?
Jesus tells us to listen to him. Jesus uses prophecy not to speculate future events but rather to speak to us about current events. Jesus speaks to us to watch out for the deceptive messages we may hear and believe. People will say many things contrary to the truth and we will be enticed to believe in these people and the events they speculate will happen. It's all topics of current events that we hear and read of day after day. Many of these topics could be taken to be signs of the end. But perhaps these signs are only the beginning.
Jesus looked upon the temple as something that would not last. The temple, with it's large stones and stable foundation was not something that would last. Jesus saw beyond the physical and into the spiritual realm of what this wonderful temple was intended to be. The temple is so much more that large stone and gold adornment. If the temple fails in serving the gospel, call of God or the spiritual realm of the needs of all; then it will fail and fall apart.
We do this today. We are amazed at the events of the day and the progress of technology, medicine or so many other things. Even all of this progress will not save us as Jesus can save us. It all falls apart in the end. It all is destined for the garbage pile in the end.
Oh to repent and turn to God. Oh to see and believe the gracious gift we can call our own through Jesus. This is what matters. The temples, the gadgets, the houses, cars and so many other "things" hold little meaning if we don't take notice of the meaning of the wonderful gift of life freely offered to us in Jesus.
We may gather things all of our life. But these things will only be the beginning of troubles. There will be nations fighting nations and many horrific weather events, but that's only the beginning. But thanks be to God that those who have turned to Jesus for life, need not fret those things. For Jesus has given us a hope that outlasts all of it.... all of it... throughout all time and beyond all things.
Prayer
Jesus, I have things, no doubt. But may I never place these things that will fall apart above what I have in you. My things will fall apart, I will get sick and I will suffer, but I always will have you. You surpass it all... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment