“Immovable Temple Stones”
Text: Mark 13:1-13
11-14-2021
Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen. As many of you have heard me say, Gayleen and I were blessed to go on an unforgettable trip to Israel several years ago. I know the word gets overused, but it truly was awesome. The things that you read in the Scriptures suddenly come to life and have even more impact when you see them firsthand. Suddenly, the Holy Land is no longer just maps and words on a page. And you can’t begin to imagine how impressive it is to be able to walk where Jesus, Paul, David, and Abraham all walked. I could tell you all kinds of wonderful stories about that trip, but I don’t want to bore you. However, with the scene in today’s Gospel lesson it’s impossible not to share with you some information about one of those sights.
This incident in our text took place sometime after Palm Sunday during Holy Week. The cross and Good Friday are looming in the very near future. Jesus is preparing His disciples for these horrific events while also teaching them about what they were to expect and do after His death and resurrection. Just prior to our reading, they had been at the Temple in Jerusalem and were now exiting. That’s when one of the 12 pointed to the magnificent architecture and commented on the massive stones it was constructed with. The Temple and its surrounding walls were renowned for their size and ornate beauty. No one knows for sure which part the Disciples were looking at when the comment was made, but when we visited that area, we saw parts of the wall that had been excavated and it truly is impressive.
The stones that were used aren’t nice, manageable blocks like the ones that make up this church building. No. These stones were HUGE. In fact, one stones they showed us is humongous and it’s the largest in the whole complex. It’s 45’ long,10’ wide, and it’s estimated to weigh 570 tons! How in the world they managed to cut and move it without modern equipment is a mystery to me. Even the “smaller” stones around it make your jaw drop. It’s not hard to see why the disciples would point at this structure with great pride. It all appeared to be immovable and indestructible.
Imagine their shock and surprise when Jesus said, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” If the Disciples had taken the time to think it through, they would have had to admit that it was possible because it had happened before. In 586 B.C. after the Babylonians had conquered Judah, they stripped the Temple of all the valuable stuff and then tore that massive structure down along with most of the wall. About 50 years later, some of the Jews returned from exile and were permitted to put it back together. But it wasn’t as grand as the original one that Solomon had built. Then, in about 20 B.C., King Herod the Great began a renovation project that returned the Temple to its former glory. That’s what the disciples were looking at. But in 70 A.D. this prediction of Jesus came true when the Romans destroyed it once again due to a rebellion. And it was never rebuilt. During the 7th century A.D. a Muslim mosque was built where the Temple once stood and it’s still there today.
Have you ever wondered, though, why the enemies of Israel were so intent on destroying the Temple? I mean, it was a place of worship and not a fortress or military installation. Well, you have to understand the philosophy behind their actions. First and foremost, it made a spiritual statement: “Our gods are more powerful than yours and that’s why we were able to conquer you. Your god is weak and unable to protect you. After all, look at what we did to your temple.” Secondly, it was meant to demoralize them. Think of it this way. Why did the 9/11 terrorists choose the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the White House for their targets? These sites were symbolic of America’s power and wealth. Likewise, the Temple was a symbol to the Israelites. As long as it was standing, they thought they were immovable and couldn’t fall. When it was destroyed their confidence as a nation was shaken.
Would it surprise you if I said that some of the Jews still have a hope for a Third Temple to be rebuilt someday? Oh yes. There’s a huge, golden menorah (a kind of candelabra), which stands in a glass case near the ruins waiting for that great day. And they’ve made other preparations for when and if this actually happens. Since the Muslims control the Temple Mount, you can be sure that it’ll be World War III if the Jews ever attempt it.
But all of that is unnecessary. It’s true that the Temple in Jerusalem was a magnificent structure. However, those massive stones and all the gold it was adorned with aren’t what made it great. The size of those stones isn’t what made it unmovable or indestructible. That’s obvious because this manmade building was eventually torn down and decimated. No, what made the Temple so magnificent in the past was the presence of God. As long as He was there, that Temple was truly immovable and indestructible. But when He withdrew His presence, the place tumbled and fell like any other earthly structure. And why did God remove Himself? Because Israel had rebelled and turned their back on Him. They foolishly thought that as long as the Temple stood they could go about doing whatever they pleased, disregarding His will and command. The Temple was supposed to be the place to pray to God and worship Him. It was also the place where sacrifices were offered for their sins. But that whole religious system had become corrupt and these sacred acts had become nothing more than a ritual. And so, God removed His presence because the Temple was obsolete.
And yet, God did not abandon the true believers. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our spiritual High Priest. He offered up a sacrifice to atone for our sins and the sins of the whole world. As our Epistle Lesson says, all those previous animal sacrifices could never truly take away sins. Yes, they removed the guilt, but it didn’t pay the penalty for them. However, verse 12 goes on to say that Christ offered up “for all time a single sacrifice for sins.” On the Cross, He sacrificed Himself as the final offering to satisfy God’s righteous wrath against our sinful rebellion. And God accepted that sacrifice. Now, because there is complete forgiveness through Jesus, verse 18 says no other sacrifices are needed. That’s why the Temple in Jerusalem is obsolete.
But there’s another reason why that Temple is obsolete. The Bible tells us that God has built a new Temple to dwell in with His presence. And that Temple is YOU! (1 Cor. 3:16 & 6:19) It’s made with the immovable and indestructible stones of the Gospel. It wasn’t built with human sweat and labor. Rather, God was the builder. In your Baptism, He laid the cornerstone on which your Temple of faith is built: Jesus Christ. As long as we are connected and integrated with Him by faith, this Temple will stand forever. And let me tell you, it is a grand Temple! But what makes it so magnificent is not the structure itself. Rather, God’s presence is what makes it great and immovable.
Here’s the thing, though. Do you remember what caused the magnificent Jerusalem Temple to fall? When Israel rebelled and turned its back on God, He removed His presence. Contrary to what some Christians might tell you, it is possible for God’s Temple within you to fall also. So, the question is: Are you, like ancient Israel, rebelling against God’s will and command for your life? If so, then destruction lies ahead. Don’t be fooled by appearances. The Jerusalem Temple looked grand and massive on the outside. It was a beehive of activities and rituals, but it was corrupt on the inside. You can go through all the motions of looking religious on the outside. You can be Baptized and Confirmed. You might come to worship services fairly regular. But what’s going on inside of you? Is God’s presence still within your spiritual Temple or have you ignored and rebelled against Him? Are you trusting in a Temple that’s built from the stones of your own self-righteousness? If so, then be assured that it is destined for destruction.
On the other hand, if God’s presence dwells within you then your Temple of faith will be immovable and indestructible. If you’ve strayed from the Lord and He has convicted you of your sin, repent and rejoice! He can and will restore the magnificent beauty of that Temple within you. By His Word and Sacrament He cleanses and builds it up. The best part is that He promises to do it for you. Some of our fellow Christians teach that you have to invite Jesus into your heart or choose Him. But it’s the other way around. HE has chosen YOU to be His Temple and He’s already there. All we can do is acknowledge His glorious presence… and then live like it!
In our Gospel lesson, Jesus says that troubles and persecutions will certainly come our way as Judgment Day approaches. False teachers will arise trying to mislead the weak. But He promises that in the midst of all this the Gospel will still be proclaimed to the ends of the earth. That’s because it’s immovable. Satan and all his demonic hordes cannot tear down those massive stones of the Gospel within you. Not even death can destroy it. By God’s grace, your faith will continue to stand firm and immovable. And by His grace, you will indeed endure to the end and be saved. All thanks and praise be to our God who deigns to dwell in His magnificent Temple within us. Amen.
Soli Deo Gloria!