Scripture
5Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6“The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Luke 21:5-6
Observation
These words of Jesus came bounding back to the forefront of my thinking this past November when I stood in front of the pile of rubble and stone that used to be the glorious temple of Herod in Jerusalem. Our guide told us that the prophetic words of Jesus about The Temples destruction came to pass in AD 70, when the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. I couldn’t even wrap my arms one of those stones and the disciples couldn’t wrap their heads around something so permanent, prestigious and beautiful coming to ruin. In fact, the Romans were so vicious that they hauled the stones of the temple in Jerusalem back to Roam and used in the building of the Roman Coliseum. My friend Pastor Phil told me his heart breaks every time he sees the Coliseum because it was used to show Rome’s dominance over God’s people, both Jews and later Christians who were viciously murdered for their faith in front of blood thirsty masses. If you think this is a little dark, I haven’t even scratched the surface as Jesus goes on in this chapter to make it clear that in the future, both in AD 70 as well as today, following Jesus isn’t for the faint of heart. Why was Jesus pointing this out? Jesus was preparing His followers and pointing us to the only thing that can’t be torn down, burned up or taken from us, the enduring Word’s of God! “33Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. 34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.” Luke 21:33-35
Application
I have a confession to make. Yesterday, January 20th, was the first time I’ve ever sat down to watch the entire Inauguration of an incoming President. To be sure the story of Trump’s comeback was historic in every sense of the word. What made it more fascinating for me was that, due to weather, they had to moved the swearing-in ceremony to the White House rotunda. Just this past May I was standing in that very room on a tour of the White House while in DC for a conference. I remember having the same feeling in that room as I had looking at the walls in the city of Jerusalem. The power and perceived permanence of where I stood was truly overwhelming. So much history had taken place and the architectural achievement of that place was awe inspiring. I’m truly praying for our new President, Vice President and cabinet. I was very inspired by President’s Trump’s Day One promises for America as they echoed through the rotunda and out to the watching world. Even more, I’m impressed at how he followed through with so many so quickly. However, today’s verses remind me not to build my life or my future on any other words than the enduring Word’s of God!
Prayer
No matter how permanent or powerful something may look on the outside Jesus, You were the only One at the beginning of it all and You are the only One at the end of it all. You were with Your people at the fall of the Temple, You were with Your Martys who died for their faith in the Coliseum, and You are with us now no matter who is in the White House. I pray that I would be more in awe of You, the Word made flesh, then I am the words of man that are saying what I want to hear. In fact, today’s reading is a reminder that in any age, it’s only Your words of Life that I can lean on. This is true in both good and hard times. I couldn’t wrap my arms around those temple stones, I couldn’t set up my home in the White House rotunda, but I can abide in Your Presence and let Your Word surround me even right now with hope for my future. Psalm 119:89: "Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens" Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.
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