• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Bible Reflection What massive stones?

What massive stones?

Posted on October 26, 2018 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment


While walking out of the temple, one of the disciples saw the buildings and said, “Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings!” (Mark 13:1) The disciple was clearly impressed with the grandeur and seeming permanence of the architecture of the place.

Sears Tower

Jesus’ response should be instructive. He correctly predicted that the temple would be destroyed. The destruction at the hands of the Roman army come some 40 years later.

I recently read these verses after reading a news story about the decline and possible bankruptcy of Sears, Roebuck and Company.

For baby boomers, Sears was an institution that no-one would have thought would ever fail. Seemingly every shopping mall had a Sears store in which just about anything that could be needed was available for purchase. How could they ever fail?

Similarly, in the Northeast US, where I live, there are many beautiful church buildings that are now museums, restaurants or art galleries. 

My initial reaction is sadness that the church could fail in these locations. But then I am reminded of two things.

First, the church is not a building or an organizational structure. The church is a gathering of people redeemed by our Savior. The local organization may fail, but the church lives on in the believers that take up the legacy.

The second thing I need to keep in mind is that Jesus has taken on the responsibility for the building of his church (see Matthew 16:18) and no-one will be able to stop what Jesus wants to do. As a church leader this is comforting, because even if I mess up as a leader, I cannot derail God’s plan for the church.

So whether it is a seemingly indestructible temple that falls or a seemingly perennial institution like Sears or a beautiful old church that goes away, we don’t have to have our confidence shaken. 

Jesus will build his church.


Filed Under: Bible Reflection

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

Saint Augustine on Felicity

In 21st Century America, we are unlikely to encounter anyone who is tempted to erect a statue to the goddess Felicity. Yet, we are in danger of worshipping felicity. Happiness seems to be the primary goal of many we interact with on a daily basis.

More Righteous

More righteous than the Pharisees?

Jesus states we must be more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. How is this possible? Why would Jesus say this?

Shame on you

Truth – the antidote to shame

Christians are to be followers of the Truth. Truth dispels shame and as a result, shame should not be a part of any church culture.

Saving Leonardo

Nancy Pearcy on the Logos

John’s Gospel begins, “In the beginning was the Logos.” A paragraph by Nancy Pearcey helps set this phrase in its cultural context.

No difference

My point is that Jesus, who knew the eventual outcome, did not treat Judas any differently than the rest of the disciples. His treatment of Judas was such that no-one suspected that there was a traitor in their midst.

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
February 2023
SMTWTFS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728 
« Jan    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in