Be Secure

Be Secure

Mark 13:1-4, NLT

As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.” 2Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” 3Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, 4“Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?”

Setting the Scene

This may have been either Tuesday or Wednesday evening of the week before the Crucifixion. Jesus and the disciples had just left the Temple. This was Jesus’ last visit to that area and the end of his public preaching and teaching.

The Temple was a magnificent structure, considered one of the architectural wonders of the ancient world. Built by Ezra after the return from exile in the sixth century BC (Ezra 6:14-15), it had been remodeled, expanded, and beautified under Herod the Great. The impressive edifice covered about one-sixth of the land area of Jerusalem and was a majestic mixture of porches, colonnades, separate small buildings, and courts surrounding the Temple proper. The disciples gazed in wonder at marble pillars forty feet high, carved from a single solid stone. The foundation was so solid that some of the original footings remain to this day. The Jews were convinced of the permanence of the Temple, not only because of the stability of construction but also because it was God’s house.

Jesus made a startling statement: This “permanent” wonder of the world would be completely destroyed. This happened in AD 70 when the Romans sacked Jerusalem and fulfilled Jesus’ words to the letter. After fire raged through the Temple, Emperor Titus ordered the leveling of the whole area, so no part of the original walls or buildings remained. Titus considered this as punishment for the Jewish rebellion in AD 66.

The disciples must have had difficulty believing Jesus’ words, “Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Because the Temple symbolized God’s presence among them, all Jews would be horrified to see it destroyed.

The disciples’ question had two parts. They wanted to know when all this would happen, and what sign would “signal [Jesus’] return and the end of the world” (Matthew 24:3, NLT). The second part of their question refers to the Messiah’s reign in God’s Kingdom. The disciples expected that one event would occur immediately after the other. They expected the Messiah to inaugurate his Kingdom soon.

Jesus gave them a prophetic picture of that time, including events leading up to it. He also talked about far future events connected with the last days and his second coming, when he would return to earth to judge all people. As many of the Old Testament prophets had done, Jesus predicted both near and distant events without putting them in exact order. The coming destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple only foreshadowed a future destruction that would precede Christ’s return.

Getting Personal

When have you put your trust in something or someone only to have it or that person let you down?

What helps you keep your focus on God and his Word instead of the empty promises of the world?

Jesus told his disciples, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, NLT). How does that promise affect how you feel? How you live?

Nothing seemed more solid, more permanent than the magnificent Temple. Yet Jesus said it would be destroyed, leveled, with “not one stone . . . left on top of another.” No wonder the disciples were shocked. In reality, nothing in this world is permanent. Yet like those ancient Jews, we make assumptions about the future. Often acting as though we have knowledge and control, we put our confidence in human institutions and endeavors: government, investments, career, personal talents and abilities, or a leader. But true security comes from only one source—almighty, eternal God.

Talking to God

Praise God that Jesus is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8, NLT) and that his Holy Spirit is always with you. Human institutions and endeavors fail you, so go to God and tell him you put your trust totally in him for your security and hope.