The disciple admiring the temple structure didn’t seem to understand who he was talking to. His focus was on the physical structure, the pride of Israel, rather than the King of kings. How many times during each day do you and I lose our focus from our Lord, and dwell on our circumstances, admiring the power and privileges in our country, or lamenting with fear what might happen next? The short term vision of the disciple is often like me, wandering away from an eternal perspective. I want to deepen my resolve and practice to dwell on the long term view, in a conversation with others, as I pray, and as I make decisions.
“The best of life on Earth is a glimpse of Heaven; the worst of life is a glimpse of Hell. For Christians, this present life is the closest they will come to Hell. For unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven.” - Randy Alcorn, Heaven: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything the Bible Says About Our Eternal Home
“Whatever the motivation of the disciple’s exclamation about the temple, Jesus’s response would have deflated it. “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down” (Mark 13:2). Jesus spoke of the destruction of the temple, the logical consequence for its failure to bear fruit.
As with many of the things he taught, Jesus’s statement left the disciples confused and wondering. It sent a shockwave through them. The destruction of the temple was the last thing they expected to happen as they anticipated Jesus taking control of the nation as the Messiah.” - Excerpt, Following Jesus: Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark by Steve Langford
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