Slices
Prepare
Ponder: ‘For we live by faith, not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Bible passage
The destruction of the temple and signs of the end times
13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’
2 ‘Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?’
5 Jesus said to them: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth-pains.
9 ‘You must be on your guard. 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. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 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.
12 ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Explore
The disciples gaze at the Temple, admiring its ‘massive stones’ and ‘magnificent buildings’ (v 1). Herod the Great spared no expense in his extravagant renovations of this architectural wonder of the ancient world. But Jesus wants his followers to cultivate an eternal perspective. The glory of this magnificent structure will be relatively short-lived. In ad 70, Roman armies will invade Jerusalem and raze the Temple to the ground, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction that ‘not one stone here will be left on another’ (v 2).
So many things in life – wealth, positions, achievements, accolades, even relationships – may seem strong, solid, stable. Too often, trials and troubles also seem like they’re here to stay. In fact, Jesus warns of relentless persecution by powerful authorities and heart-breaking betrayals by loved ones (vs 9,12). But as his followers inhabit these ‘in between’ times, Jesus encourages them with promises for both the present and the future. First, they will be empowered in every trial by the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit (v 11). Second, ‘the one who stands firm to the end’ (v 13) will enjoy the enduring and eternal glory of ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory’ (v 26). Jesus wants his followers to be faith-sighted and far-sighted.
Respond
What ‘magnificent’ things capture your attention and captivate your heart? What trials leave you feeling utterly defeated? Choose to view all your circumstances – good and bad – through a Jesus-lens.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Daniel 6,7; 2 John
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for churches and organisations who are using our book The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas asking that the children they interact with at Christmas will glimpse something of who Jesus is and the truth of the Christmas season.
