You will be hated by everyone because of My name. But
the one who endures to the end will be saved. – Mark 13:13 (NET)
Jesus---the healer, the wondrous
miracle worker, the good and wise man, the social revolutionary---tells His
disciples that they will be hated by everyone because of His name. He
says this while in the process of answering a question posed by Peter, James,
John, and Andrew (13:3). Prior to the question and the answer, one of His
disciples had spoken of the Temple, making reference to its size and
grandeur. This occurs after Jesus has observed the significant offerings
that were being made for the Temple, which would be used for its ongoing
upkeep, adornment, and expansion.
The amount of money that filtered through the Temple was
substantial, with large offerings able to do wonderful things for the Temple
that visibly represented Israel’s hopes, its dreams, and its God.
Nevertheless, Jesus focuses in on one particular woman---a poor widow, who
“came and put in two small copper coins” (12:42b). He said to His
disciples, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the
offering box than all the others. For they all gave out of their
wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in what she had to live on,
everything she had” (12:43b-44).
It is tempting to view the
recognition of such obviously sacrificial giving as a badge of honor and praise
from Jesus. At first glance, it would appear that Jesus is singling this
woman out (the imagery, of course, is always that of an older woman, but that
is not necessarily the case, as it would have been common for her to have been quite
young) and holding her up for praise due to her gift. It would seem to be
the case that at least one of the disciples hears these words from Jesus as
praise for the woman, as He seemingly honors her very small gift above the
others.
Thus this disciple takes it upon himself to say “Look at
these tremendous stones and buildings” (13:1b), as if to say “So much money has
been given to erect and to maintain this Temple. Some of those gifts have
been quite large, and many were no doubt sacrificial in nature. In addition, all of the people participate in
this construction and maintenance program by their gifts. This Temple
would not be what it is today if all gave only what this widow gave, and yet
you, Jesus, say that she gave more.”
Jesus’ response to His disciple allows for consideration of
the very strong possibility (probability) that His recognition of the widow’s
gift was actually something of a lament.
What has actually taken place is that this woman has given all that she
has to live on, when in reality, it is the Temple authorities, as they
represent the covenant God of Israel that provides for His people, that should
be supporting her and not allowing her to do this very thing. Instead, the implication is that this widow
is now going to suffer hunger and thirst and privation as a result of her support
of a Temple (and a Temple regime) that is shortly going to come to an
end.
Emphasizing that this is the point at which He is driving, Jesus
says “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left on
another. All will be torn down!” (13:2)
These are cataclysmic words. These are weighty words. The
Temple will be torn down? What do you mean the Temple will be torn
down? This is big news---the biggest! Moreover, such words are not
being spoken by some raving lunatic. This is being said by the man
recently hailed with “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name
of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!
Hosanna in the highest!” (11:9b-10)
This is being said by the same man who had entered the
Temple, and with a demonstration of a deep and abiding respect for the Temple
and its purposes, along with a respect for Who and what it symbolized, drove
out those who were selling and buying in the Temple courts and overturned the
tables of the money changers and prevented merchandise from being carried
through the Temple courts (11:15-16), saying “Is it not written: ‘My house will
be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have turned it into
a den of robbers!” (11:17) First He
defends its honor, and now He speaks of its destruction.
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