Mark 13:1-2 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!… It is interesting to mark the site and trace the history of edifices built for God, some of which have been signally honoured by Him. The temple at Jerusalem was one of these. It stood contemporary with great events, and was the scene, for four hundred years, of the perpetual sacrifices, those august national solemnities, the divinely appointed services that distinguished the worship of the God of Israel. But that which piety erects, sin often lays in ruins. This temple accomplished its service and shared in the national fall, when the people by whom it had been profaned were carried to their seventy years' captivity. The second temple was designated to still higher distinction, inasmuch as it was that which Messiah's feet trod, and within whose walls He joined as a worshipper. What have been the bearings of the destruction of Jerusalem, upon Christianity on the one hand, and Judaism on the other? I. THIS EVENT FURNISHED A MOST STRIKING PROOF OF THE TRUTH OF OUR LORD'S PREDICTIONS AND CONSEQUENTLY OF HIS DIVINE MISSION AND AUTHORITY. II. The destruction of Jerusalem served a most important purpose in reference to Christianity, BY LIBERALISING THE MINDS OF THE BELIEVERS AND PARTICULARLY BY EMANCIPATING THE JEWISH CONVERTS FROM THE AUTHORITY OF THE MOSAIC RITUAL. III. The destruction of Jerusalem, by weaning the believing Hebrews from their national attachments, AND SCATTERING THEM ABROAD IN THE EARTH, CONTRIBUTED ESSENTIALLY TO THE DIFFUSION OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND INFLUENCE OF THE GOSPEL. But what are its bearings upon Judaism? 1. Whether the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jews is not to be regarded as an act of righteous judgment upon the nation, incurred by the dreadful crime of rejecting the promised Messiah? 2. I ask whether the destruction of Jerusalem and of the temple was not a clear intimation of the final abolition of the Mosaic economy? Here only could the sacrifices be offered, so that when it was destroyed, the institution itself was abolished. (H. Gray, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! |
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