Destruction of the Old to Make Way for the New

At first read, Mark 13:1-8 seems to be about buildings. However, like with all of Jesus’s messages, this one is not what it appears to be. Jesus’ message is complex and multilayered and when read in its entirety, serves as an important teaching for us all.

Mark 13 begins with the Apostles marveling to Jesus about Herod’s temple. “As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.”” (‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:1‬)

This temple they refer to was “Herod’s Temple”, a multi-decade project which restored and expanded Solomon’s Temple and was an impressive site. As seen in Pastor Marco’s video simulation several weeks back, it was a 35 acre complex which was the site of Jewish ritual sacrifice and once in a lifetime pilgrimages. It was located on a mountain top, towering over the rest of Jerusalem with 30, 40, and 50 ton stones that fit together perfectly; massive towers, courts and structures, some reaching 17 stories to the sky. There were hundreds of massive stone columns, some 27 feet tall so wide that it took three adults to wrap around one. Not only enormous, this temple was ornate, with walls covered in gold, marble, ceilings of intricate tile, brass gates and white marble walls so bright that in the sunlight, humans could not look at them. The Apostles were not wrong in being impressed by Herod’s Temple. 

However, never missing an opportunity to teach, Jesus replied to the Apostles’ wonderment of the temple with the following: “You see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left on another which will not be torn down!” (Mark 13:2)

On the surface, Jesus is predicting the destruction of the magnificent temple, which would, in fact, be destroyed just six years after its completion. Jesus is also foretelling of the additional massive changes that will occur.  Well beyond predicting the destruction of Herod’s Temple, Jesus is prophesying about the destruction of the way things are. He is referring to the Jewish traditions and sacrificial rituals that took place in Herod’s Temple. He was predicting the end to the exclusive nature of worship - that only Jews and only the ritualistically cleanest had access to God within the holiest places deep within the temple. He was calling out the transformation from the old way - that God was only found within a physical temple to the new way - that each of us would be holy, living temples to God. In Scripture, Jesus is often referred to as the rock or the cornerstone. “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Mark 12: 10-11 and Psalms 118: 22, 23). So here, Jesus is also likely pointing His disciples away from the impermanent, man-made marvels back to Himself as the path to salvation. 

Mark 13, verses 3-7 go on to further complicate and expand Jesus’ seemingly simple response about stones and buildings (verse 2). Jesus continues His teachings to His students and closest friends giving them an even longer range view of God’s plan. “Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?” Jesus replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.” (‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:3-7‬)

Beyond the destruction of Herod’s Temple, the pending change from old testament ways to the new way with Jesus as the cornerstone, Jesus prepares the disciples for the  “beginning of the birth pangs” (Mark 13:8).  Jesus knows of the painful changes that must take place in order to fulfill God’s plan, which include His own death as well as the destruction prophesied for the end of times in the Book of Revelation. 

Anyone who has given birth or observed the process of childbirth understands the tremendous amount of pain that must occur as part of the miraculous process. In Mark 13, Jesus prepares the Apostles, and all of us, His disciples, that this process of transformation is not a simple and painless one -- but like that of childbirth, one of immense sacrifice. While not a pretty or easy message, Jesus is trying to prepare His followers for what’s to come.  Jesus wants us to be fortified and prepared for the upcoming transformations we face--that while often painful, yield new life. 

Prayer:
Lord, do not waste a single experience. Use each experience, lesson, and trial for our good. Keep sending the Holy Spirit to speak to us, to prepare our hearts for today, tomorrow, and our final day. Keep our hearts and minds focused on what’s important. Let us not get caught in awe of dazzling, impermanent, man-made things. Instead, build us up strong and secure in Your Word and our faith. Guide us in building a strong foundation in what truly matters. Amen.