“Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” 7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” Luke 21.5-7
Most of the disciples were not born in the city. They grew up in the country. Being next to the massive Temple was awe-inspiring. It was ten stories tall, covered with gold and limestone bricks the size of buses. The temple was one of the largest structures anywhere, taking almost fifty years to complete. It would have been an impressive structure even today—especially in a time when large buildings were uncommon.
But all this would not last. As the disciples were commenting on its grandeur, Jesus told them that this structure would not last. Not one stone “would be thrown down.” This led the disciples to ask, “When will these things happen? What will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
Two ideas come to mind at this point: first, the end times; and second, the destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus was speaking to the disciples in their day, but also to the generations that would follow, including us. He was referring not only to the destruction of the Second Temple but also to the coming age when the world would face severe persecution and God’s people would be scattered throughout the earth.
The temple represented God’s relationship with His people. The Jews practiced animal sacrifice as atonement for their sins. Without this structure and its rites, how would people become right with God—forgiven and redeemed? Jesus had the answer: Himself. There was no longer a need for the offerings made at the Temple after Jesus gave the final offering of His life as the Lamb of God upon the cross. Now, through faith in His gift, we may receive salvation, the remission of sins, and life everlasting.
The disciples were naturally concerned, worried, or interested in when these final days would occur, but they could control the timing no more than we can determine the return of Christ. His second coming will be soon, swift, and sudden. He will come “like a thief in the night” and gather to Himself all who call upon His name.
Aren’t we glad we no longer need a temple to access God’s favor? We simply come in prayer before His throne of grace and find strength and hope in our time of need.
Let’s draw near to God today by the power of His Holy Spirit. Let’s find strength and release in His arms of truth and salvation. Let’s find love and forgiveness in a God who loved us enough to sacrifice His life so that we might be saved.
“O Lord, thank You for loving us. Thank You for Your power and might. In my weakness I call out to You—Lord, save me! Redeem and restore the world to Yourself. Do Your amazing work among us that we might find truth in Your arms and trust in Your Word. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with Your love. For You are good and Your love endures forever.” Amen.