WHAT BUILDINGS!

During the rule of the Persian Empire, the angel Gabriel was sent to tell the prophet Daniel that a 2^nd temple in Jerusalem (not even built then!)...would later be destroyed by ‘the people of the prince that shall come’ - the mighty Roman Army.

Five centuries later, here in Mark 13 we have the long-awaited Messiah finally leaving that 2^nd temple for the last time.  It seems the disciples haven’t been joining the dots - they think Jesus should be admiring the magnificent architecture as He walks out from where the elders have rejected Him. Instead, He predicts: 

“There shall not be one stone on another that shall not be thrown down.”                                                                                                         

No wonder four of them then chase Him up for answers!

 Did Jesus get that right?

The supporting Western Wall, the only relic left standing today, is mute witness that He did!  

AUDIENCE of ONE

Every day for 3 days, Jesus has visited this magnificent temple where His authority is rejected by chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees... plenty of time for them to accept His authority. (Mark 12:38-44)

Jesus condemns the scribes for taking care how people see them and for defrauding widows.  Before leaving the temple forever He has one last thing to do – sit and watch how much people give to the treasury.                                

Who alone has the right to watch what we give towards the service of God?                                                                                                        

Only God - audience of One - so Jesus watches the rich and the poor, even a widow who is giving... all of her living!

We are soon going to see how Jesus gives...whether He casts in all that He has, even all of His living! 

How is YOUR giving towards God?

DAVID'S LORDLY SON

 

Notice the authority of this man Jesus!                                 

The disruptor of temple commerce is feared and hated by chief priests and scribes, challenged by Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees....and now no man dares ask him any more questions! (Mark 12:35-37)

They all know king David’s climactic Psalm 110...

‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies beneath your feet”’

They also know the scribes teach that the coming Messiah will be Son of David.

It’s now Jesus’ turn to ask the questions... 

“David calls him Lord, so how can He be his Son?”

The people are enjoying this but do they know who really is standing right in front of them?

John Mark introduced Him with... 

‘the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God’.

Do YOU agree?