Matthew 23- 24: 1-2
1 Corinthians 3:16

“Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.  But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Matthew 24: 1-2

Summary:  Jesus was not impressed with the magnificence of the temple structures, in fact, as His disciples pointed them out, He explained, what they see, will not stay, but be destroyed.

Our  Worldly Aspirations Destroyed

Reflection: It reminded me of the twin towers in New York City which within a period of three hours completely collapsed.  Within the towers, seemingly, important things took place, yet now, the place of its desolation is known as “ground zero”.  And Just as the explosion created an expansive hole on that site, there are aspirations, hopes and confidence shattering today, leaving a tremendous void in many hearts. But God has a way to fill us with His hope, in His own Way, through salvation in none other than His Son, Jesus Christ. ( John 14:6)

After cleansing the Jewish Temple, Jesus told the prestigious religious men who were occupied by it, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”  Of course, he was not referring to their temple, but His Temple, His body in whom the embodiment of God the Father and Holy Spirit occupied and dwelt. Later, His disciples remembered what he said, when they witnessed His resurrection from the tomb, and His victory over death
(John 2: 18-22).”
                                                    The Cleansing of Our Temple

  While meditating on these two scriptures (Matthew 24: 1-2) and the previous events that took place (Matthew 23), I recalled, there were two cleansings of the temple that took place; One at the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry and again at the end.
(John 2: 13-22, Matthew 21: 12-13).

                                                                       The Last are First

In God’s Kingdom,  the last become first and the first are last. After all, Jesus entered this world in humbleness,  born in a stable, while lowly shepherds heard the proclamation and were the first to hear the news. And towards the end, as Jesus entered Jerusalem on that fateful Passover week, He mounted a donkey instead of a horse, receiving praises not from the wise and learned but from the mouth of babes.
(Matthew 21:31, Matthew 21:16, Psalm 8:2)

                                                                What God will Remove
One morning I awoke to hear the Lord say,“ I am removing everything not of me”.

                                                                Prepared
It reminds me also, how upon receiving salvation, upon hearing the Word, we are made whole, cleansed and renewed, born again,  by the Word  that was spoken to us. And the cleansing continues as the Holy Spirit and His Word dwells within, sanctifying our hearts. For those who are in Christ Jesus are prepared, made ready for the returning of the King ” for such a time as this “ filled with His Spirit, transformed by His Love.
( John 15:3, Ephesians 5: 26-27, Esther 4:14, Revelation 19: 7-8, Matthew 25: 1-13)

Resource:  The Lesson of Esther

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  See, your house is left to you desolate.  For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Matthew 23: 37-39

My Response in Prayer: Dear Lord, I am so grateful for the sanctification of Your Holy Spirit and through Your Word. I know, though my flesh be destroyed, You will complete my salvation and raise me up without spot or blemish, to be where you are in your everlasting Kingdom, in the new Heaven and the new Earth.
(Romans 8:13, John 17:17)

Resources: The Destruction of the Temple
Resource: Out of the Mouth of Babes
Resource: What does it Mean?: Out of the Mouth of Babes

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