Our paragraph topic is: (Christ foretells the Temple's destruction) Part 1.
We begin this new chapter with the disciples taking pride in the majesty of Jerusalem and the construction of the Temple. It has taken many years to be built and they want Jesus to see the awe and majesty of all of the construction of the grounds. Though they did not have a hand in its construction they contributed funds to the building of the city and all of its structures. That gives them pride as being Jews as it does all the people belonging to Israel.
Jesus is not impressed. He knows the future and what will become of Israel and its people. AND Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came forward to show him the buildings of the temple.
We all live in cities and towns and proclaim them for their charm and beauty, for their greatness and glory over other cities. I live in New York, the greatest city in the US of A. I live in California, the city of innovation and Hollywood. We live in Las Vagas, or Hawaii, or Chicago, Miami, or any one of the many cities, each being known for something of value to those that live there. We all take pride in where we live. It is a natural thing.
Yet in the time of Christ, the Jews were known for their God and the power that he exercised for his people. They were a great people and their city was a great city. The Temple was a special place for the Jewish people to come and worship their God. But Christ did not see it that way. He saw corruption and scandal, the evil and lust, false witness and hatred, lack of charity and hopelessness. He saw loss of belief in God with no one to lead the people back to faith.
All the beautiful buildings and grounds meant nothing when there was no faith or hope in the one true God. Worship was without meaning. Worship was mechanical, lacked soul, something that the people did not believe in, especially those on the streets who were suffering the most. No one cared. The priests, the Scribes, the Pharisees, and Sadducces only concerned themselves with maintaining the peace with the Roman rulers so that they would not loose their position of power.
Where are we today? Do we take pride in the buildings that we call our homes of worship or do we worship in our homes? Where are our true temples? Where are our true places of worship? Where does the spirit of God reside with us, in great churches of worship or in our homes of worship? Where is your temple? Is it in you, in your heart or in the building you call your church? Do you carry your church with you everyday when you wake or do you leave it at the address when you leave church on Sunday? Make your inner church a great building of glory. Give glory to God.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
We begin this new chapter with the disciples taking pride in the majesty of Jerusalem and the construction of the Temple. It has taken many years to be built and they want Jesus to see the awe and majesty of all of the construction of the grounds. Though they did not have a hand in its construction they contributed funds to the building of the city and all of its structures. That gives them pride as being Jews as it does all the people belonging to Israel.
Jesus is not impressed. He knows the future and what will become of Israel and its people. AND Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came forward to show him the buildings of the temple.
We all live in cities and towns and proclaim them for their charm and beauty, for their greatness and glory over other cities. I live in New York, the greatest city in the US of A. I live in California, the city of innovation and Hollywood. We live in Las Vagas, or Hawaii, or Chicago, Miami, or any one of the many cities, each being known for something of value to those that live there. We all take pride in where we live. It is a natural thing.
Yet in the time of Christ, the Jews were known for their God and the power that he exercised for his people. They were a great people and their city was a great city. The Temple was a special place for the Jewish people to come and worship their God. But Christ did not see it that way. He saw corruption and scandal, the evil and lust, false witness and hatred, lack of charity and hopelessness. He saw loss of belief in God with no one to lead the people back to faith.
All the beautiful buildings and grounds meant nothing when there was no faith or hope in the one true God. Worship was without meaning. Worship was mechanical, lacked soul, something that the people did not believe in, especially those on the streets who were suffering the most. No one cared. The priests, the Scribes, the Pharisees, and Sadducces only concerned themselves with maintaining the peace with the Roman rulers so that they would not loose their position of power.
Where are we today? Do we take pride in the buildings that we call our homes of worship or do we worship in our homes? Where are our true temples? Where are our true places of worship? Where does the spirit of God reside with us, in great churches of worship or in our homes of worship? Where is your temple? Is it in you, in your heart or in the building you call your church? Do you carry your church with you everyday when you wake or do you leave it at the address when you leave church on Sunday? Make your inner church a great building of glory. Give glory to God.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
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