“As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” 2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” Mark 13.1-4
I have sat where Jesus sat. I mean, maybe not exactly, but in the vicinity. One of the great joys and mysteries of going to the Holy Land is walking where Jesus walked, and in this case, sitting where Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives.
Where was Jesus sitting? The text tells us he had left the temple and was now “sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple.” Which means, he was facing west, with his back to the east and Bethany. He was looking at the Golden Gate, which current is sealed up with rock and mortar and a Muslim graveyard to prevent the Messiah’s return. Jesus was high upon the mount looking down across the Kidron Valley and then up into Jerusalem. He would be looking over the tomb of David and other prophets from a thousand years prior. He was looking at where he walked previously in the day.
Jesus and the disciples were admiring the temple. It was magnificent. Ten stories high, ornate with gold and smoke rising as animal sacrifices continued both day and night, And hundreds, if not thousands of people walking to and from it’s premises to worship, conducting business and seeing friends.
In the middle of all this Jesus shatters the calm, pleasant scene — “See these magnificent buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another, every one will be thrown down.” What the heck, Jesus?! Why? When? How could this beautiful temple reflecting the glory of God be destroyed? What a shock that would be.
We know, however, from history, that the temple would be reduced to ruble in 70 AD as the Romans quelled the Jewish revolt and ended their method and mode of worship. And yet, the prophetic words of Jesus, and the birth of the Christian church would growth after this destruction as new Christians would be disbursed to the ends of the earth.
If God can use the destruction of the Temple and displacement of his people to grow his church, then God can use our circumstances and situations to expand his Kingdom. The way of doing things may change but the Lord himself is constant. His word is true and Jesus is always the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13.8).
Perhaps you are facing a loss or change in your environment. My advice, seek the Lord. Call upon his name and the One who created you with love and grace will fulfill in you his purposes both now and in the days to come.
“O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for loving me and loving your Church. Thank you for not giving up on your Jewish people – your original chosen clan! Come now, Holy Spirit, fill us with your power and love. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen