The Temple

Mark 13:1-2 “And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!’ 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’”. In these verses, Jesus is making a direct prophesy about the temporal nature of the temple, which would be destroyed in 70 AD. I think Jesus is also asking this disciple to shift his focus here because this world is not our home, and the things of this world will not stand. Where is your mind focused? Is your tendency like mine (and most people’s): to focus on things that you can see, understand, feel, and control? When my focus is on temporal things, I become anxious. I tell myself that I’m “processing” through an issue that needs to be worked out, and sometimes that’s how it starts—in an actual need to find a solution to a problem. However, when I spend my time and energy thinking about ways to fix a problem instead of going to Jesus with it, I am ultimately looking to myself, and the things of this world for answers and solutions. When I start there and stay there, I don’t find a solution. I find more fear, anxiety, and questions. Jesus tells us here in Mark 13 that these earthly things will not stand. So why do I look to these things for answers to my troubles when all I need is Jesus? He is the Temple that will never fall. He is the foundation, the rock on whom my hope truly rests. Lately I’ve been trying to practice remembering. I do this by listing God’s characteristics, His promises to His people, and also His tangible, earthly blessings and provisions. When I fix my mind on these truths, it is no longer fixed on the questions of this life, and in that I find peace. Our earthly “temples” will not stand, but The Temple: Jesus will stand forever. Praise be to God.