Friday, January 19, 2007
Big Stones
People tend to be easily impressed by big things. This is especially true of buildings and structures. During the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, the Temple was an impressive structure. One of the largest houses of worship in the world, Herod made it even bigger.
The craftsmanship of Herod’s temple was amazing. Each stone was quarried and chiseled miles away from the Temple Mount. Joints fit together perfectly. The stones were massive; some weighed up to 570 tons. Stones were up to 10.5 feet high, between 11 and 14 feet thick, and 45 feet long.
Considering what builders had to work with in those days, modern engineers marvel at the size and craftsmanship of Herod's Temple. It stood as a testimony to Herod’s drive, wealth and power.
Jesus' disciples took notice of the Temple's size. As they walked out of the Temple, a disciple said, "Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!"
Jesus wasn't impressed. He knew what was going to happen. His prophetic words must have been like a knife in the heart of his followers. The Temple was the center of Jewish society and culture. It was the house of God, where sacrifices took place. It was the bridge between God and the Jewish people. How could God allow it to be destroyed again?
Jesus said, "Seest thou these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."
As Jesus spoke these words, the disciples must have been stunned. They waited to privately ask him about this prediction. Maybe Jesus' words were a parable. Simon and a few others approached Him wanting an explanation. They wanted to understand His words and what would be the sign of their fulfillment.
Jesus then delivered a strong warning about the destruction of the Temple, the great tribulation and Christ's second return. Jesus spoke of a great deception. He talked about wars, famine, earthquakes, and persecution for His followers. As if the destruction of the Temple was not enough, Jesus spoke about a time when everything would be in chaos. Although necessary, this warning must have been hard for them to hear. These men had a role to play in bringing God's Kingdom to earth.
Just like the stones of the Temple, each believer has a unique place in God’s Kingdom. God has carefully shaped each of us, fitting us together in a way that strengthens our communities. Unlike the Temple stones built for Herod’s glory, the spiritual house of God’s children will last forever.
The Jews and the Temple were meant to be a light of God’s love to the world. Instead, they lost the focus of their mission. They began to use the Temple for their own ends. The leaders became proud and exploited even their own people.
God allowed the Temple to be destroyed because He was doing a new work. Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God and a new reality. There no longer needed to be sacrifices. Jesus took care of that on the cross.
The Temple would no longer be confined to one place. Instead, the Temple became the people of God not a building. God made the human heart filled with the Holy Spirit as His new house.
If Herod's Temple still stood, many people would be tempted to worship it instead of God. The Temple was destroyed so that people could experience the fullness of God's glory on the earth as they became the place where God's Spirit rests.
Every space is sacred ground when you are the Temple. This reality changes everything. It causes every new day, every conversation, and every challenge to have a sense of spiritual significance. There is no such thing as sacred vs. secular. Everything becomes spiritual for those who walk in the Spirit. This does not cheapen what it means for something to be of the spirit. No, it elevates every moment to be a time when you experience oneness with God.
Simon came to understand this spiritual reality. He wrote, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ...Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
The craftsmanship of Herod’s temple was amazing. Each stone was quarried and chiseled miles away from the Temple Mount. Joints fit together perfectly. The stones were massive; some weighed up to 570 tons. Stones were up to 10.5 feet high, between 11 and 14 feet thick, and 45 feet long.
Considering what builders had to work with in those days, modern engineers marvel at the size and craftsmanship of Herod's Temple. It stood as a testimony to Herod’s drive, wealth and power.
Jesus' disciples took notice of the Temple's size. As they walked out of the Temple, a disciple said, "Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!"
Jesus wasn't impressed. He knew what was going to happen. His prophetic words must have been like a knife in the heart of his followers. The Temple was the center of Jewish society and culture. It was the house of God, where sacrifices took place. It was the bridge between God and the Jewish people. How could God allow it to be destroyed again?
Jesus said, "Seest thou these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."
As Jesus spoke these words, the disciples must have been stunned. They waited to privately ask him about this prediction. Maybe Jesus' words were a parable. Simon and a few others approached Him wanting an explanation. They wanted to understand His words and what would be the sign of their fulfillment.
Jesus then delivered a strong warning about the destruction of the Temple, the great tribulation and Christ's second return. Jesus spoke of a great deception. He talked about wars, famine, earthquakes, and persecution for His followers. As if the destruction of the Temple was not enough, Jesus spoke about a time when everything would be in chaos. Although necessary, this warning must have been hard for them to hear. These men had a role to play in bringing God's Kingdom to earth.
Just like the stones of the Temple, each believer has a unique place in God’s Kingdom. God has carefully shaped each of us, fitting us together in a way that strengthens our communities. Unlike the Temple stones built for Herod’s glory, the spiritual house of God’s children will last forever.
The Jews and the Temple were meant to be a light of God’s love to the world. Instead, they lost the focus of their mission. They began to use the Temple for their own ends. The leaders became proud and exploited even their own people.
God allowed the Temple to be destroyed because He was doing a new work. Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God and a new reality. There no longer needed to be sacrifices. Jesus took care of that on the cross.
The Temple would no longer be confined to one place. Instead, the Temple became the people of God not a building. God made the human heart filled with the Holy Spirit as His new house.
If Herod's Temple still stood, many people would be tempted to worship it instead of God. The Temple was destroyed so that people could experience the fullness of God's glory on the earth as they became the place where God's Spirit rests.
Every space is sacred ground when you are the Temple. This reality changes everything. It causes every new day, every conversation, and every challenge to have a sense of spiritual significance. There is no such thing as sacred vs. secular. Everything becomes spiritual for those who walk in the Spirit. This does not cheapen what it means for something to be of the spirit. No, it elevates every moment to be a time when you experience oneness with God.
Simon came to understand this spiritual reality. He wrote, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ...Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
