“As [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’” (Mark 13:1). Huge buildings reflect a sense of power and importance. Who hasn’t experienced a feeling of awe when entering a space like a capitol rotunda, a grand cathedral, or even returning to our own TLLC sanctuary after so many months? You can see it in people’s faces as they stare up at the ceiling. The temple in Jerusalem would have been the biggest building any of the disciples had ever seen. No wonder they responded with awe. Jesus is not impressed by buildings, no matter how grand. Many of the things people are impressed with do not seem to matter to Jesus. Jesus is far more interested in generosity, compassion, mercy, and grace. Jesus would prophesy that the Temple would be destroyed and “one stone will not be left upon another.” When it comes to such stones, they all fall down, but the building blocks of our faith – generosity, compassion, mercy and grace – those are written in stone.
The scriptures for this Sunday are Daniel 12:1-3, Psalm 16, Revelation 21:1-6a, and Mark 13:1-8. Songs for this Sunday are “Here I Am to Worship”, #815 “I Want to Walk” vs. 1 & 3, and “Blessed Be Your Name”.