Mark wrote how, “Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow has cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: or all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living”, and in chapter thirteen and verse one of his book, Mark shared how one of Jesus' disciples says, “Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” where we read:
And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said unto him,
Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
The verse reads, “And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said unto him, ...” Mark began with the words, “and as he went out” or “and as Jesus left and departed” “of the temple” or “from the sacred worship place in Jerusalem”, “one of his disciples” which means “a certain one of Jesus' students, pupils and attendants” “said unto him” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Jesus”. Mark shared how Jesus “left” the “temple of worship” located in Jerusalem and one of His “students and attendants” proclaimed the following words to Him.
The verse continues, “... Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” Mark added the word, “Master” which means “teacher”, “see what manner of stones” or “behold, observe, notice and discern what sort and quality of building stones” “and what buildings” which means “and what sort and quality of edifices, structures and architecture” “are here” or “are in this location”. Mark shared how Jesus' disciple pointed out the “massive stones and buildings” which were a part of the “temple” in Jerusalem.
When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how this disciple of Jesus was captured by the “structure and architecture” of the “temple” building in Jerusalem. As Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa said this disciple was, “referring to the great temple in Jerusalem that was started in the year 2219 B.C. by Herod the Great. It became one of the wonders of the ancient world. It took over fifty years to construct. Herod the Great was never able to complete it himself. Herod the Great, as we have mentioned before, was fond of using great stones in his building projects. But according to Josephas, some of the greatest stones that he used in his building projects were used in the temple itself. Josephas records that some of the stones were forty-seven feet long, eight feet high and twelve feet thick.” We can imagine why this building caused the disciple to comment in this manner. God gives people abilities to do great things, and no doubt He gave “Herod” the ability to conceive and have this building constructed. However, God's purpose for sending His Son Jesus was not just to observe buildings or abilities of certain people. God sent Jesus because people were fallen away from a relationship with Him through “sin”, and “sin” separates a person from God. Jesus came to pay the penalty for “sin”, and those who are wise will not only notice Jesus' ability, but also recognize Him for the “Savior and Lord” that He is.
Next time see Mark share how Jesus said, “there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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