Tumbling Down

Mark 13: Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”

² And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

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Proud of my accomplishment I reminisced over how hard I worked to build the department to where it was. When I returned I asked if they were still doing things the way I had set them up. “No” was the answer. A new person had come in and changed everything.

• There were times when I was proud of my accomplishments.
• There were times when I felt what I built should have lasted forever.
• There were times when I tried to build a miniature kingdom.

Marveling at human accomplishments, the disciples pointed out how wondrous the temple was. JESUS replied with a harsh statement. “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

• JESUS says to me “No matter what you build on earth, it will be torn down.”
• JESUS says to me “MY kingdom will never be torn down.”
• JESUS says to me “Build MY kingdom and you will store up treasure in heaven.”

Building something is not the problem. JESUS wants my mind focused on heaven as well when I build something on earth. My tendency is to stop only at earth and get pats on the back from humans. GOD wants me to ask HIM if HE I pleased with my plans and accomplishments. HE wants to be asked first and included all the way.

• Are you trying to accomplish something?
• Do you have something large in mind but do not know how to accomplish it?
• Can you stop trying to be in the spotlight and ask GOD how does HE want things to go?

Nice Skyline

Matthew 24: Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. ² “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

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Wonder filled my eyes as I approached the city on the train. I had been downtown many times, but this time I was there to see the sights by myself. I looked up in amazement. “What wonderful buildings!” I thought to myself.

• I love cities with nice architecture.
• I admire those who can plan buildings and execute putting them in place.
• I enjoy visiting cities with buildings that look like art.

Around the world I have seen buildings built with magnificent prowess. JESUS’s disciples were trying to get HIM to notice the magnificent buildings of the time, probably in awe of human accomplishment. JESUS explains what will happen to the buildings.

• JESUS says to me “Everything you do on earth is temporary except with humans.”
• JESUS says to me “Every project you build on earth will be thrown away, except those concerning humans.”
• JESUS says to me “Every accomplishment that makes humans point to other humans will be brought down, for I AM the way.”

There is something amazing about seeing a nice skyline. BUT GOD has a greater place planned for me. In other words, if I thought humans could build magnificence, wait until I see what GOD can do!. JESUS referred to HIMSELF as the temple that would be torn down and raised back up in three days. I need to admire HIS beauty alone!

• Do you admire what people do and accomplish?
• Do you want to be admired?
• Can you stop wanting the spotlight or shining the light on humans and start pointing at JESUS?