Scripture Daily

Context No. 4232 of 4322 · Mark

Context · Reflection

Mark 13:1-6: in context

1As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!” 2Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.” 3As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?” 5Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. 6For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and will lead many astray.

As they leave the temple, a disciple marvels at its grandeur: Teacher, look, what wonderful stones and buildings! The temple was an imposing structure of its day, seemingly permanent. But Jesus says something startling: do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left on another; all will be thrown down. The magnificent temple, for all its solidity, would not last.

What stands out is Jesus' sober word about the impermanence of even the grandest human works. The disciple saw something that looked permanent and impressive; Jesus saw something that would pass away. And as he goes on to speak of the future, his first warning is: see that no one leads you astray, for many will come claiming to be what they are not. Amid the passing of impressive things, the danger is being deceived.

The things that impress us with their size and solidity, institutions, buildings, human achievements, are not as permanent as they seem; like the temple, they can be thrown down. To build our lives on such things is to build on what will pass. And in a world full of voices claiming our trust, Jesus warns us not to be led astray. Wisdom fixes its confidence not on impressive but passing things, but on Christ and his words, which will not pass away.

Do I place my confidence in impressive but passing things, institutions and achievements that seem permanent like the temple, or do I heed Jesus' warning not to be led astray, fixing my trust on him and his words, which alone will not be thrown down?

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