Magnificent Stones: Mark 13:1-2
“1) As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples *said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2) And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.”” Mark 13:1-2
I confess, I love beautiful building and great architecture. The original temple of Solomon qualified as one of the of the wonders of the ancient world. Even this second temple was a sight to behold.
It was most likely rebuilt using many of the original stones from Solomon’s temple. It lacked some of the glory of the original temple, but was still ornate and magnificent.
Therein was the problem. Many people worshiped the temple building and religious system it housed instead of God. Such Happens to many cathedrals and churches today.
It was at this time that Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple building. This happened in 70 AD.
During His trial, this was confused with His statement in John 2:18-21 that He would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. In that prophecy, He was speaking of the temple of His body.
He was about to start working on a new spiritual temple. (See Ephesians 2:19-23) Peter picked up on this mystery in 1 Peter 2:4-5. In that text he says; “4) And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5) you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
This has an intriguing connection back to Mark 13:1. The magnificent building and stones the disciples were admiring were nothing compared to the living stones in the spiritual building Jesus is constructing.
It took forty-six years to build the original temple. God has been actively building the spiritual temple for nearly 2,000 years. The stones for the original temple were quarried by skilled craftsmen and transported to sight. The living stones are being fashioned in the quarry of life and fitted by the Holy Spirit into the living building.
As believers, God sees you and me as magnificent living stones. Though the trials and struggles of life may not make sense to you or me, God is using them to fashion us into living stones for His glory. Don’t fight the process. Trust God as the Master Craftsman in your life.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global Sent from my iPhone
“1) As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples *said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2) And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.”” Mark 13:1-2
I confess, I love beautiful building and great architecture. The original temple of Solomon qualified as one of the of the wonders of the ancient world. Even this second temple was a sight to behold.
It was most likely rebuilt using many of the original stones from Solomon’s temple. It lacked some of the glory of the original temple, but was still ornate and magnificent.
Therein was the problem. Many people worshiped the temple building and religious system it housed instead of God. Such Happens to many cathedrals and churches today.
It was at this time that Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple building. This happened in 70 AD.
During His trial, this was confused with His statement in John 2:18-21 that He would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. In that prophecy, He was speaking of the temple of His body.
He was about to start working on a new spiritual temple. (See Ephesians 2:19-23) Peter picked up on this mystery in 1 Peter 2:4-5. In that text he says; “4) And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5) you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
This has an intriguing connection back to Mark 13:1. The magnificent building and stones the disciples were admiring were nothing compared to the living stones in the spiritual building Jesus is constructing.
It took forty-six years to build the original temple. God has been actively building the spiritual temple for nearly 2,000 years. The stones for the original temple were quarried by skilled craftsmen and transported to sight. The living stones are being fashioned in the quarry of life and fitted by the Holy Spirit into the living building.
As believers, God sees you and me as magnificent living stones. Though the trials and struggles of life may not make sense to you or me, God is using them to fashion us into living stones for His glory. Don’t fight the process. Trust God as the Master Craftsman in your life.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global Sent from my iPhone
