Conclusion Of Ministry At The Temple Completed

Because Zechariah chastised Israel's leaders, "they conspired against him and pelted him with stones at the king's commandment in the courtyard of Jehovah's house." But, as Jesus foretells, Israel will pay for all such righteous blood spilled. They pay 37 years later, in 70 C.E., when the Roman armies destroy Jerusalem and over a million Jews perish.

As Jesus considers this frightful situation, he is distressed. "Jerusalem, Jerusalem," he proclaims once again, "how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks together under her wings! But you people did not want it. Look! Your house is abandoned to you. Jesus then adds: "You will by no means see me from henceforth until you say, 'Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah's name!" That day will be at Christ's presence when he comes into his heavenly Kingdom and people see him with eyes of faith.

Jesus now moves to a place where he can watch the treasury chests in the temple and the crowds dropping money into them. The rich drop in many coins. But then a poor widow comes along and drops in two small coins of very little value.

Calling his disciples over, Jesus says: "Truly I say to you that this poor widow dropped in more than all those dropping money into the treasury chests." They must wonder how this can be. So Jesus explains: "They all dropped in out of their surplus, but she, out of her want, dropped in all of what she had, her whole living." After saying these things, Jesus departs from the temple for the last time.

Marveling at the size and the beauty of the temple, his disciples exclaim: "Teacher, see! What sort of stones and what sort of buildings!" Indeed, the stones are reportedly over 35 feet long, more than 15 feet wide, and over 10 feet high! "Do you behold these great buildings?" Jesus replies. "By no means will a stone be left here upon a stone and not be thrown down." After saying these things, Jesus and his apostles cross the Kidron Valley and climb the Mount of Olives. From here they can look down on the magnificent temple. Matthew 23:25-24:3; Mark 12:41-13:3; Luke 21:1-6; 2 Chronicles 24:20-22.

Next time: Sign Of The Last Days

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991