November 22, 2022 - Matthew 24

“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’” (24:1-2). Charles Spurgeon commented, “To [the disciples] the appearance was glorious, but to their Lord it was a sad sight. His Father’s house, which ought to have been a house of prayer for all nations, had became a den of thieves, and soon would be utterly destroyed: Jesus said unto them, ‘See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’”

I am reminded of Jeremiah’s preaching, that the Lord would destroy the temple and, also, of the people’s response: “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord” (Jeremiah 7:4)! How they were deceived, thinking that they were safe because of the temple’s physical presence. Rather, the Lord speaks, “Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place” (Jeremiah 7:3). Our God is not interested in our buildings and so many of the things we value. He desires to have our hearts.

All my hope on God is founded;

he doth still my trust renew.

Me through change and chance he guideth,

only good and only true.

God unknown,

he alone

calls my heart to be his own. -- Joachim Neander (17th century)