by Doreen Kajulu | 5 March 2020 08:46 pm03
Jesus often taught spiritual truths using metaphors, parables, and real-life settings. These teachings were designed to reveal deeper meanings to those willing to seek understanding, and to conceal truth from those who were hardened or indifferent (see Matthew 13:10–13).
Jesus used physical needs or objects as a gateway to spiritual lessons.
In Mark 8:13–21 (NKJV), the disciples forgot to bring bread. Jesus told them:
“Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” (v.15)
The disciples misunderstood, thinking He was referring to literal bread. Jesus rebuked them:
“Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?” (v.17)
Theological insight:
“Leaven” (yeast) in Scripture often symbolizes corruption or false teaching (see 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, Galatians 5:9). Jesus wasn’t concerned with bread but warned of spiritual contamination through false doctrine.
They learned:
When Jesus entered the temple, He saw how the people had placed their faith in the structure rather than in God Himself.
The temple in Jerusalem, renovated by Herod, had become a national and religious symbol. Yet Jesus saw its future destruction and the spiritual decay behind its grandeur.
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
The Jews replied: “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
John clarifies: “But He was speaking of the temple of His body.”
Theological insight:
Jesus was prophesying His death and resurrection. The true temple was not the building but His own body (Colossians 2:9, John 1:14). The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:17).
Jesus’ statement had a dual meaning:
The Jews failed to perceive the layered meaning, thinking only in physical terms.
Jesus’ prophetic style often contained immediate and future fulfillment, a pattern seen throughout Scripture (see Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, partially fulfilled in his day and ultimately in Christ).
Later, the disciples reflected on His words.
“Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’”
This statement shocked them, and they responded by asking three major eschatological (end-times) questions (Matthew 24:3):
Theological insight:
Jesus then gave one of the most detailed prophetic teachings in Scripture, commonly known as the Olivet Discourse, found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. It outlines both the fall of Jerusalem and future signs leading to His return.
The physical temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., fulfilling Jesus’ words.
According to historians like Josephus, over a million Jews perished, and the city was burned. Not one stone of the temple was left upon another, just as Jesus had predicted.
Theological insight:
This destruction was both judgment and a symbol of the end of the Old Covenant system. Through Christ, believers now worship not in temples made with hands but in spirit and truth (John 4:21–24).
Had the disciples not pressed in for more understanding, they wouldn’t have received these deep truths.
“The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.”
Theological insight:
God doesn’t reveal deep truths to casual seekers. He opens spiritual understanding to those who fear, honor, and seek Him diligently (Proverbs 2:1–6, Jeremiah 33:3).
Just as in Jesus’ day, many people today settle for a surface-level reading of Scripture. Others reject hard truths or reinterpret them to fit personal desires. But Jesus calls us to seek, study, and believe His Word as truth.
If we ignore the full message and hold onto only part (like “Destroy this temple…”), we risk misunderstanding Him completely—just like the people who mocked Him at the cross.
Let us be like the disciples who asked, listened, and later understood.
Let us hunger for the full counsel of God’s Word, not just for information, but for transformation. Let us not trust in buildings, traditions, or religion—but in the Living Christ, our true Temple and Savior.
May the Lord open our eyes to know Him more, and may we walk in His light until we reach maturity in Christ.
God bless you.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2020/03/05/destroy-this-temple-and-in-three-days-i-will-raise-it-up/
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