While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
Even the temple, however grand and beautiful, was only a shadow of a deeper heavenly reality, made according to a heavenly blueprint (see Hebrews 8:5). It was thus still among those things that could be shaken, things that would be removed "in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain" (see Hebrews 12:27). Jesus had promised the Samaritan woman at the well that the hour was coming when worship would cease on the mountain where her people worshipped and in Jerusalem to and instead be offered in Spirit and truth (see John 4:21, 23).
Jesus himself was the one thing which could not be shaken, the foundation of a Kingdom that "shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever". This heavenly Kingdom was made "without a hand being put to it", and Jesus was himself "a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)" (see Hebrews 9:11).
The things that can be seen, those made by hand, those which can be shaken, are so manifest to us as to be hard to ignore. They are in our face and seem to demand our complete attention. But we must be diligent not to put our trust in these things overmuch. We must listen to Jesus telling us, "See that you not be deceived", because temptations to accept people promising a secular salvation according to human means are abundant. We must listen to Jesus telling us "do not be terrified", for if we give in to fear we will make ourselves easy prey for those false messiahs and their false promises.
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky."
Let us pray that we learn to trust Jesus even when the shakable things are in complete upheaval. It should give us confidence, not fear, that he said these things will come to pass, as it means they are all allowed as part of his providential plan. We are meant to be the recipients of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. But we will only be as firmly joined to this Kingdom as our faith in Christ is firm. Lord, we believe, help our unbelief (see Mark 9:24).
Give glory and eternal praise to him.
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