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The Temple Jesus Built
Mark 14:53-65
Mari Ikeda
A. Becoming our own god and rejecting the true God (53-59)
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
B. The true God suffered for us (60-65)
60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
C. Encountering God in the new temple that Jesus built (58)
“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’”
Summary
When we discover the limitations of living for ourselves and of human beings trying to control one another, we long for a superhuman presence. Jesus showed us a God who is not an abstract idea, but is someone who suffered and died for us. When we encounter Jesus, we learn about God’s love. Though we still have a tendency toward self-centeredness and place too much trust in human beings, Jesus rebuilds us time and time again. The eternal temple of God, not built by human hands.
For Discussion
- Share about a time you found yourself becoming your own God.
- Where can we find God when we lose sight of him?