Temple Thrown Down

Day 65: Mark 12:38-44, 13:1-13

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.’” - Mark 13:2 ESV

This is one of the most remarkable things that Jesus' predicted as he neared the end of his life. At first, we may think Jesus is referring to the end of time, and he will do that later on, but here is actually telling them about the Roman destruction of Jerusalem that will take place 40ish years from this point (AD 70).

This third Jewish temple was financed by Rome and spearheaded by Herod, but the Jews still treasured it. The temple was the epicenter of their worship, and the early Christians would also use it as a rallying spot (Acts 3:11, 5:12).

"The ‘fox’ (Luke 13:32) built well, with the help of his borrowed Roman engineers: Herodian masonry is noted for its excellence everywhere in Palestine."
- Cole, R. A. (1989). Mark: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 2, p. 278)

Jesus also predicts the work that the Apostle Paul, and his team, will later do by "proclaiming the gospel to the nations." He warns the disciples that nothing but hate awaits them from the masses but that they should endure to the end. Both tribulation and salvation await them.

Are you enamored with the luxuries of this world? Do you think it'll never lose its shine? All that we see is temporary, just like the temple's glory.

Paul also wrote the following in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, which is so great to read as we close:

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."