Jesus’ Words of Teaching
One day, people were standing around talking about the Temple, remarking how beautiful it was—the splendor of its stonework and memorial gifts. Jesus said:
“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.” (Luke 21:5-6, NIV)
In Jewish culture, the temple was a central, invincible place. Jesus overhears His followers talking about how great this foundation of their community is and launches into a warning about the things in the world that give us a feeling of security and comfort—they will one day be destroyed. He speaks about wars, revolution, nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines, earthquakes, and persecution.
Jesus is warning them that, in the near future, the centerpiece of their culture—the temple—will become “a heap of rubble” and they will be overrun and persecuted as a people. This happened about 40 years after Jesus had spoken these words. Roman armies surrounded and overtook Jerusalem, leaving the city and the temple in ruins.
Jesus shares about the future so that His followers can begin to truly follow Him and live in faith now.
His point isn’t that they will avoid struggles; His point is that they will remain faithful to Him through them. Jesus also shares about future events that will come someday much later—things that still haven’t come yet.
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” (Luke 21:25-26, NIV)
What things in this world do you find comfort and security in? Many of the things in our lives that give us comfort and security will one day become heaps of rubble. Through it all, we must remain faithful. To live faith-filled lives, we must bank our lives on His words and nothing else.
Listen. Jesus is speaking to you today. Listen to His words of encouragement, listen to His words of comfort, but most of all, listen to His words that challenge.
You are a miracle!
