May 28, 2014

“No Stone Left Unturned…”

Blessings folk!

Jesus was finished with His “woes” to the religious rulers.

He turned and departed from the temple.

We are continuing through the next couple of chapters of Matthew...slowly, carefully.
This is an extremely important portion of Scripture which is often neglected, mis-taught and misapplied in the Body today.

We have examined portions of it before.
But, repetition is how we learn. Especially when “pulling everything together”.

So, read the following.
Remember that Jesus is leaving the temple after having an intense encounter with the religious rulers.
Watch what Jesus’ disciples do…

Matthew 24:1-2
1 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.
2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

Jesus was leaving the temple.
He had declared to the religious rulers that they would not see Him again until they said “blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord”.

It was an intense, emotional encounter.
Jesus was grieved, heart-broken.
Remember, He desired to take them under His wing as a protective hen.

What was the response of the disciples?
Something along this line…”Hey Master. Look at the cool buildings. The work on the Temple is coming along nicely.” Etc.

Were they seeking to “lighten” the moment?
Perhaps.

Were they seeking to distract Jesus with another subject?
Perhaps.

Were they hoping to “make Jesus feel better” by focusing on the beauty of stone?
Perhaps.

Were they just clueless to what happened in the Temple?
Likely.

Either way, the disciples were focused upon the things of the world, the outward mechanics of religion.

Jesus was having nothing to do with this thought.
He rebukes the disciples..”do you not see these things?”
What things?
The situation.
What is in progress.
What the Kingdom is.
Yes, and the stone building.

Then Jesus tells them that there will not be a stone left upon another from the wonderful edifice before them.

It would all be torn down.

Literally.
Figuratively.

As we will see, this initiates questions for which Jesus would provide extended answers that give us much insight into today and the days to come.

For today, have the stones been upturned in your life?