As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!"
"Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
According to the Teacher, the temple is doomed! Quite expectedly, His students want to know how soon this is going to happen.
Jesus explains - the gospel must first be preached to all nations.
Remember how Mark began his narrative? The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God!
It’s all about the gospel! Jesus and His students have been announcing this good news to the people of Israel. Now the Teacher says this gospel must first be preached to every nation.
In a few days Jesus will be crucified and rise from the dead. Then before He ascends to heaven He will His students to go into the entire world to preach this gospel.
For now He gives them a little insight into what this future mission will mean for them.
"You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."
Sadly, the temple will be destroyed in their generation. On the other hand, in their lifetime the gospel will be preached to all the nations!
Gradually a different kind of temple – God’s dwelling place - will be sanctified in the heart of each one who will receive the good news of Jesus.
How often do we really think about the fact that we are now temples of God!?! That the Holy Spirit dwells within us and can even speak through us!?!
ReplyDeleteDo you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have receive form God? You are not your own; You were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Cor 6:19-20)
Paul was using this to argue against sexual sins. However, he emphasizes the point from our reading today.
Christians are the temple of God - His Spirit dwells within us. Some have argued the how this happens. Some will try to limit God in His ability to work through us.
Maybe we should spend some more time in study of these things, and try to understand more of how God works through us!
John 14-16, Acts 2:38, Romans 8
Ephesians 1:13-14, 2:10, 3:20-21.
Might be a good start.