What Awesome Stones & Buildings!

June 1, 2023

Mark 13:1-8 | Psalm 147:1-5

Jesus has different standards. Things that impress many people don’t seem to do much for Jesus. The grandeur of the temple is among them. He loves nature and takes great interest in people, but lofty clothing and big buildings just don’t seem to be for him.

We should wrestle with this.

…as well as the turn he takes from the temple to the difficulties his disciples will soon face. Jesus is telling those who would listen to him to pay attention to the right things.

Don’t be so distracted by human grandeur that you miss the destruction of God’s creation and those who are supported by it.

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Mark 13:1-8

As Jesus left the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What awesome stones and buildings!”

Jesus responded, “Do you see these enormous buildings? Not even one stone will be left upon another. All will be demolished.”

Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? What sign will show that all these things are about to come to an end?”

Jesus said, “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many people will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m the one!’ They will deceive many people. When you hear of wars and reports of wars, don’t be alarmed. These things must happen, but this isn’t the end yet. Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other, and there will be earthquakes and famines in all sorts of places. These things are just the beginning of the sufferings associated with the end.

Psalm 147:1-5

Praise the Lord!
    Because it is good to sing praise to our God!
    Because it is a pleasure to make beautiful praise!

The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem, gathering up Israel’s exiles.
God heals the brokenhearted
    and bandages their wounds.
God counts the stars by number,
    giving each one a name.
Our Lord is great and so strong!
    God’s knowledge can’t be grasped!

Prayer

God,

Actually, I kind of like stained glass windows and aesthetically-pleasing architecture. I especially like it when they are built and directed toward your glory.

What do you think?

Actually, I guess it does seem like these buildings and structures would be more for our own feelings of proximity to you than they are for your own pursuit of glory. I hadn’t really thought of that before.

Help me,God, in my quest to draw nearer to you, to be wary of doing so much that I actually miss out on who and where you are.

By your spirit & in Christ,

Amen.