2. The New Temple

Revd Luke A Barrs

Road to the Resurrection • Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago

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In order to build the kingdom of God, the old Kingdom of Babylon needs to be brought down - in this case the Temple itself. God isn't concerned with beautiful stones as much as He is concerned with beautiful souls who love Him.

Notes

Transcript

Introduction

Mark 13:1–13 NIV 2011

As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’ ‘Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?’ Jesus said to them: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 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. ‘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. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 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. ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Main Point: To establish His Kingdom, Babylon must first fall.

What does it take to build a home?

Sometimes the structure is so broken to begin with it has to be torn down in order to build well.

Is this what Jesus is talking about today in Mark 13? The destruction of something so broken that it’s better to begin again, than renovate… Let’s see together shall we.

1. Not God’s House

Main Point: God cares about our character more than our apprearence.

Mark 13:1 “As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’”

Yes it was beautiful - but what was going on inside?

Things aren’t always what they seem. Society’s obsession with image - what’s real anymore?

What matters is someone’s character.

The Temple became a self-serving enterprise, rather than a God focussed centre for love and worship.

So God left His house - He wasn’t present, ever since the exile.

God never returned to His house - upon the rebuilding of Zerubbabul’s Temple His glory never returned and tears were shed because people knew it.

Ezra 3:12–13 (NIV 2011)

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.

No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.

The rebuilding of the Temple led to 400 silent years - where’s God? Temple was beautified under Herod - but where’s God?

Is something missing? Christian image? How much do you read the Bible, pray etc.

Whatever you do, make sure Jesus is at the centre.

2. God Returns Home

Main Point: Jesus doesn’t like what He sees and judges.

Where’s God is the question? We receive our answer in Jesus’ return to Jerusalem. They were looking for God and yet they didn’t notice Him in Jesus.

Interactions with the Temple is a key part of holy week - How does Jesus return home?

Soldier returns, even the dog cries.

But Jesus turns over tables… What have you been doing?!?

Mark 11:17 NIV 2011

And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”? But you have made it “a den of robbers”.’

And so now, when the beauty of the Temple is described Jesus issues this shocking statement:

Mark 13:2 NIV 2011

‘Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’

This would eventually happen with the Romans in 70AD, it was shocking at the time, as well as when Jesus prophesied.

Jesus will not tolerate evil, especially when done in the name of His Father. Stark warnings to people who think they are followers - where is our affection really?

People know enough about God to reject Him. We should know that to stand for Him means we receive a response...

Standing up for Jesus hurts - Jesus Himself experienced this.

You can’t always expect to be liked as a Christian.

Dedication - young people will learn quickly that to love Jesus means you may be hated by others. Let’s teach them by modelling bold resistance.

But don’t be offensive - let our Christ-centred character shine. Don’t be persecuted for being rude.

3. Where Jesus Lives

Main Point: Christians stood and died for the better vision Christ gave them.