What Jesus Did! 'Close, But ...' — Mark 14:57-59

Sunday, November 15, 2020

Then some people stood and said something false against Jesus. They said, "We heard this man (Jesus) say, 'I will destroy this temple that men made. And three days later, I will build another temple—a temple not made by men.'" But also the things these people said did not agree.
— Mark 14:57-59 NLT
Illustration of Mark 14:57-59 NLT — "We heard this man (Jesus) say, 'I will destroy this temple that men made. And three days later, I will build another temple—a temple not made by men.'"

Key Thought

Yes, Jesus did say something like this. Yes, it was confusing to those who heard it, even his closest followers. But, Jesus never intended to say such a thing about the literal Temple in Jerusalem. He was talking about his own body, which they would nail to the Cross. God raised Jesus from the dead after three days. The point is that Jesus' enemies couldn't make the charges stick without lying. He is innocent and yet they are determined to put him to death. Nothing is quite as brutal or corrupt as religion that loses its way.

Today's Prayer

Guide us, dear Father, into the way we should go and keep us from the blindness of our own selfishness. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Proverbs 14:12
  • John 2:13-22
  • Matthew 27:40

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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