Luke 21
The chapter is continuing the Jesus’ walk through the
Temple. Leaders, people, disciples, and even the stones are playing a role
here. Temple was a precious jewel in the necklace of Herod’s construction
projects. He was able to bring the water from the Mediterranean Sea to the
capital via aqueduct. He built a stadium, proving himself as a faithful admirer
of Roman culture. But above all was the expansion of the Second Temple. And
yet, Jesus, looking at the noble stones which adorned the Temple, said that there
will not be left one stone upon another that will not be thrown down (Lk.
21:6). After this horrific prediction, Jesus continues with the destruction of
Jerusalem (Lk. 21:20).
Cult and culture are twins that cannot be fully separated.
The way people worship will affect the social realm of life. This places Temple
into the center of Judean society of Jesus’ days. Why, then, Jesus – as the God
incarnate – would allow it to be destroyed?
The short – devotional or blogpost – answer is that Temple
is good as long as it directs people to worship God. When the Temple becomes a
center of worship, it turns into an idol. And true God doesn’t like idols – all
idols should be destroyed. As it was in the days of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:4), it
was in the days of God Incarnate – some of the people did not acknowledge His
presence, while some, following Jesus, still had their eyes on the stones of
the Temple…
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