In Three Days – I will Rebuild this Temple

Daily Thoughts – September 10th

It’s important to understand the geography of Jesus day to understand the paths He walked.  Jerusalem was not large by today’s standards, but a huge epicenter in biblical days.  The wall contained city measured just short of a mile end to end, and just over ½ mile at it’s widest point.  We would think of it as a large farm in America, just under 350 acres.  It was fortified against attack by walls and gates on all sides, and within the walls contained the Palace of Herod (along the west side of Jerusalem), Antonio Fortress (in the North), Temple Mount (Northeast corner), Upper city (Southwest corner), Lower city (South) and City of David (Southeast corner).  The Mount of Olives was ½ mile East of Jerusalem, separated by a large valley, known as the Kidron Valley.  The Garden of Gethsemane was on the Mount of Olives, just East of the Golden Gate (entrance to the Temple), less than 1000 feet from the Temple Mount.  Bethany, where Lazarus was raised from the dead, was about 2 miles farther to the East, and Bethlehem was about 6-7 miles Southeast of Jerusalem. 

In Three Days – I will Rebuild this Temple

“Every day Jesus taught at the temple, but every evening He went out to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. And early in the morning all the people would come to hear Him at the temple.” – Luke 21:37-38 (in context)

Why is this city (Jerusalem) so important in today’s world?  Because in Bible prophecy it clearly tells us that the Messiah will return this little city in the last days.  Zechariah 14:4 states, “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.”  Splitting from the mount of Olives from the east to the west will split directly through the old city of Jerusalem, and many believe more specifically, right through the Eastern gate of the Temple Mount (also known as the Golden Gate).  Standing on the Mount of Olives and looking toward the city of Jerusalem, one sees the Eastern gate. 

It was sealed shut by the Muslims during the reign of Suleiman, in the early 16^th century, fulfilling the prophecy of Ezekiel 44:1-3, “Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. Then said the Lord unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. It is for the prince; the prince!” 

In Jesus day, this gate was open, and would have frequently been used by Jesus as He went to the Temple to teach and pray.  Jesus was on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city of Jerusalem when the scriptures tell us in Luke 19:41-44,“As Jesus approached Jerusalem (from the mount of Olives) and saw the city, He wept over it and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”  He was coming down the pathway (road) into Jerusalem and looking right at the Temple and Eastern Gate.

These steps are on the southern side of the temple mount, and would lead right into the colonnade, and inner temple courtyard.  As Jesus made His way to the temple from the Mount of Olives, He had to have walked along these steps and entered into the courtyards to teach, pray, and chastise the merchants selling therein.  These steps have been excavated, in the late 1800’s, and are still there today.  Some have been overlayed with new concrete blocks, but one can still walk along the evidenced original stone steps leading up to the southern wall of the Temple mount.  It is with 95% certainty that these are the same steps Jesus walked upon multiple times throughout His life.

-     Luke 2:27-28: ..the child Jesus was taken to Simeon in the temple to be consecrated to the Lord.

In Jesus day, as one would make their way into the city walls with the intent of going to the temple to they would ascend a flight of stairs, carved into the hard stone of the hillside.

-          Luke 2:41-49: …the teenage Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem when His parents left.  They returned to find Him with the teachers and rabbi’s learning and listening.

-          Luke 21:27-28: … Jesus enters the temple from the Mount of Olives to teach

-         Mark 11:15-18: … Jesus overturns the money-changers and merchants tables

-         Matthew 22:21, Matthew 22:31-32, Matthew 22:37-38, Luke 21:2-4, Luke 2:47, Matthew 22:33, Luke 21:38: …Jesus teaching in the temple courtyard, parables, watching the widow give two small coins, etc.

Neil Armstrong, first man to step foot on the moon, was quoted after visiting Israel in 1994, “walking on the southern steps of the Temple Mount is even more exciting than walking on the moon” as he bent down and kissed the steps leading to the temple.  It was also a very emotional place for Lisa and I when we visited.  As you sit on the steps on imagine Jesus standing here and teaching, or challenging the Pharisees, it quickly overwhelms one.  This is a must visit if you ever have the chance to visit Jerusalem. 


© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
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Passing it On

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers." – Luke 2:46-47

Twenty one, as in years. The Bible records the impact of Jesus’ life from the age of 12 through His death at the age of 33.  At the age of 12 he was in the temple with the Scribes and Pharisees, studying the word of God.  His father, Joseph, was a carpenter and his mother, Mary, was a strong, courageous woman who was loved by the one true God.  We must draw the conclusion that Jesus was raised learning and memorizing the scriptures, just like the other boys his age in Nazareth, as was the custom in those days.  For you see there was no Bible laying on the coffee table or nightstand.  There were scrolls for each book and chapter of the Torah (first five books of the bible), that had been written and re-written over the last 400 years prior to Jesus birth.  But these weren’t available to the common folk, they were stored in the Synagogue under the watch of the Pharisees and Scribes of the day.  No, Jesus would have memorized scripture from the teachings of his father and other men around Galilee.

I was fortunate enough to visit the Western Wall of the temple during one of my visits to Jerusalem many years ago.  I was invited to join a father and his family inside of the Western Wall, for their reading from Numbers in their native language.  I couldn’t understand a word that the man was saying, but to experience first-hand the love, passion and importance that this father spoke to his children with will forever be etched in my mind.  He unfolded the scroll, and read from the scriptures.  Then he had his eldest son read some as well, and then the family proceeded to pray together.  Closing the scroll, he kissed it and placed it back into the ark for storage until the next day.  This principal of reading the scriptures as a family unit was practiced for generations and generations, handed down over centuries.  In the days of Jesus the Torah was to be memorized and drawn upon for comfort, peace, law and governing.  The Holy Word of God was carried in the hearts and minds of every devout Jew and passed on to the children.

Where has this practice gone and why?  Is our life so much more under control that we no longer need to partake in the practice of teaching our children the scriptures?  I realize that we live in a much faster paced world than 1st Century AD, but by all means, this is not something we should have let fall away.  For it is in knowing the scriptures that we will be made stronger in times of struggle and strife.  As we face challenges in this life, drawing upon the wisdom found in the Holy Bible is where we will find the answers. 

I can comment to you today that this is a practice that will once again become common in the Palmer household for generations to come.  I am no longer content to study God’s word on my own and hope that my children are doing likewise.  I am going to take a proactive part in their learning and studying of God’s word.  I’m asking each of you reading this Daily Thought today, to take this practice seriously and begin anew reading scriptures with your children, grandchildren, parents and spouses daily.  Quit complaining about the demise of Christianity in the 21st century and do something about it.  Teach and learn from the One who wrote the book.       

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
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Step Up

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.” Psalm 78:4

Have you ever been to the circus, and seen a person walk on the high wire?  Generally, it’s a metal cable about 1.5 inches thick, suspended between two platforms about 30 meters apart.  The trapeze artist will take that first step out onto the wire, delicately placing his/her foot in just the right position and then slowly transfer their weight to that front foot, and while balancing with their arms out wide, begin the trek across the wire.  Making it look effortless, they manage to walk across the hire wire and step upon the platform at the other end.  It’s quite amazing to watch someone execute this, and even more so when they do it without a net.  I’ve even heard of people walking high wires across large canyons or over Niagara Falls.  It must take incredible courage to step away from a crowd of people and out onto a relatively small wire, where one misstep or loss of balance will result in one’s death.

Think about it on a bigger scale.  What if the lifecycle between birth and death were a high wire?  Make it to the other side and experience eternity with God the Father in heaven; fall anywhere between that first step and the last step and the results are eternity in Hell, separated from the Father.  When you think about it there are only two options, and it is completely based on the choice each of us must make.  This includes your spouse, your children, your parents, siblings and friends.  Each must make this choice in life, there are no exceptions. 

Now, I want you to imagine that you take your children and a few of their friends to the circus.  Mid way through, they get up to go get some popcorn and drinks.  A few minutes pass and then the lights go dim and a spotlight shines to the top of the tent and focuses on the high-wire pedestal.  There is your son or daughter, standing on that platform, with their friends all around them chanting, “Go, go, you can do it….Just take a step, it’ll be easy.”  One hundred feet up, no net, and the band so loud, your voice can’t be heard as you scream for your child to stop.  You realize that he (or she) is about to take that first step and your heart breaks knowing that one wobble will result in his certain death.

If you are a parent, or plan to be, you know that life is a high wire for your children.  They will be influenced by this world to do very stupid things, some of which will result in tragic endings.  You cannot be with them 24x7 or keep them locked away in a shelter somewhere,  You must let them experience life and grow up making decisions as they build their character.  The key to this is to ensure that they have a solid foundation to make those decisions from and then surround them with prayer and trust in God to watch over them.  But, make no mistakes, you have a huge responsibility in the path they choose to pursue.

As your child prepares to step onto the high wire, wouldn’t you want to make that wire as wide as possible?  Perhaps laying down a few planks of wood along each side, making it a few feet wide and more stable, rather than a few inches.  Yes, they still walk that high wire alone, but the risk of falling off is dramatically reduced.  You have the responsibility of making sure they know about God’s love, Christ’s sacrifice and the Truth from the Word.  It is not acceptable to sit on the sides and hope they make a decision to follow God in life, because the world is not going to help you lay down those planks, you have to do it.  You can’t set back and watch them try to get it right, you have to give them the wisdom, directions and understanding to know all of the risks in life.

Yes, in the end your children, spouse, friends and family must make this decision for themselves, but you cannot have a belief yourself and not take the opportunity to share it with them.  If you set back and let them try to figure it out on their own, I guarantee you their chances of falling off that wire are greatly enhanced.  The world is going to be edging them on without concern of their eternal destiny.  If you are a believer, and care about those around you, you need to step up and take that responsibility on.  Don’t let them step onto the hire wire alone, it’s a long endless fall if they don’t make it to the other side, and there is no safety net. Start today, share the Lord with those around you, and help them make it across the wire.  If you are wondering what your purpose in life is, this is it.  Now Step Up.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who came to die that I might live.  Thank you for the the grace that you have provided so that I might one day join you in eternity despite my unrighteous life filled with transgression.  Help me Lord, to take on the challenge of every parent and teach my children and their children of your goodness, grace and mercy.  Give me the wisdom and courage to share your message with those I meet that they too can have eternity with you in paradise.  Convict my spirit Lord to desire your purpose in my life with a passion and fervor that leads my feet to enhance your kingdom.  I pray for my children, my wife, my family and my friends salvation Lord, that not one of them are left behind on judgment day.  Help me be a witness to them to provide guidance in their life to seek you.  I ask these things in Your precious and Holy name - Amen.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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Practice makes Perfect

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” – John 13:15

They are watching every little thing you do.  Most of us are careful to watch the words that come out of our mouth, try to control our temper, don’t drink or smoke or do drugs around our children, because we know that they are little sponges and pick up on our actions.  My 7 year old comes in the other day while I’m brushing my teeth.  He’s standing behind me looking at me in the mirror, and I watch as he begins making the motions with his hand near his mouth, the same as I am making with my toothbrush.  He’s opening his mouth and pretending to brush way in the back, and then when I leaned over to spit out the toothpaste, he did the same.  With an empty mouth I asked him, “What are you doing, you don’t have a toothbrush?”  His answer was simple, “Practicing.”

We learn from watching others, and they learn from watching you.  It’s not only the big stuff that the little ones around you pick up on it’s everything.  Their entire perspective on how to live life is learned from observing the world around them.  If you aren’t happy with the patience your child is expressing, perhaps you might want to question where he/she got it from.  If they through temper tantrums when they don’t get their way, you might want to evaluate your own ability to control your temper in difficult situations.  But it’s not just the children that are learning from you.

Those at work, at school, at playgroup, at the gym or even at the mall are watching you.  Not in a stalking sort of way, but in a way to observe how you deal with situations and circumstances.  Your ability to draw upon the life of Jesus is the best example in all of time.  He provided a life of love, grace, serving, passion and conviction.  He held to the teaching from His Father in every circumstance and through every temptation.  Paul, often reflects upon the character of Christ as our example, our benchmark if you will.  Christ called us all to “follow Him” and to “…love others as I have loved you.”  We search for what God wants from us, what we can do to demonstrate our love for Him.  He seeks your obedience.  He wants for you to follow in the footsteps of Christ and serve others in this world as He served.  In this way, we are drawn to the compassion, grace and mercy of our King, which then is exemplified to those around us.  Read your bible, go to church, learn as much as you can about God and His Son.  The more you learn, the more you can teach – and there are millions who need to be taught. 

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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Tell the Story

“Joshua also set up another pile of twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, at the place where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant were standing. And they are there to this day.”  – Joshua 4:9

The pebbles were round and smooth, certainly unsteady under foot, but not hurtful in any way.  The man led his family along their trek to the southern valley where he had heard stories of the welcoming people there, and the prosperity they had been experiencing.  Living in the North had become dangerous ever since the attacks and many of his friends and family had been slaughtered or taken as slaves.  He, his wife and their 3 sons had packed everything they owned onto these two small donkey’s and spent the last three days on this journey.  It is good that he had picked a route along the river, for fresh water and frequent engagement with other travelers.

As they came upon the town of Jericho, they set up a camp along the flat lands near the banks of the Jordan river.  The father looked to his eldest boy to go and gather some wood from the river so they could start a fire.  Of course Simon (the younger brother) went with him.  As the boys made their way closer to the river’s edge, darkness was beginning to fall over the desert night.  They found a few pieces of drift wood that had come aground and was dry enough to burn.  Under the pale light of the moon they continued walking and looking for something slightly larger.  It was then that they came upon the unusual formation of rocks.  Piled in a unique fashion, it obviously had been done with a purpose in mind and not by the current or by accident.  They looked at it from all sides, it was bizarre how these heavy stones were stable and secure in their most peculiarly stacked pile.

They found a few larger pieces of wood and made it back to the camp.  Father was waiting for them, obviously irritated with their delays, and having to start a fire in the dark.  He proceeded to get a spark and then one of the dry pieces of wood caught fire and the tension eased a little.  As the fire sparked and grew in size, more wood was applied and soon they had a blaze for their mother to begin cooking.  The boys sat next to their father, and he could tell something was on their mind. “What, what is it?  What took you boys so long?”

“Father, we found the most unusual thing down by the river.  It was a large pile of stones, perfectly balanced and resting one upon another.  It must be a sign of something, there is no way it was an accident.”, the boys blurted out together.  The father looked at them intent and with a knowing and discerning view.  “Boys, you must take me to these stones first thing in the morning, where we will lift our voices and spirits and praise God Almighty for His love and grace”, the father told them when he heard their story.  Simon immediately demanded that they go back now, “Let’s take some fire and go now, I know the way even in the dark.”  Wiser heads prevailed and they all ate well and then got a good night sleep.

The next morning the family quickly packed their things back onto the donkey’s and hurried through the brush and over the smooth stones to the river’s edge.  They proceeded down the river to the place where the boys remembered the stones.  The stones were not there, they knew this was the place for there was the large log that they chose to leave the night before.  “Father, you must believe us.  Last night the stones were right here”, both boys said together as they look on in bewilderment.  The father looked down at both of his boys and knew they would not have lied about this.  There is no way they could have made this story up. Somehow God had placed these rocks in the eyes of Simon and his brother last night as a gentle reminder to their father. For you see the father had actually seen the actual stones in that exact spot many, many years earlier, before the rise and fall of the river Jordan washed them away. Putting his arm around his sons, they walked ahead of the others, while he proceeded to tell them the history of God’s children entering the Promised Land, and the meaning to the 12 Stones Memorial

In today’s fast paced world we fail to take the time to stop and pass on to the younger generation the blessings from God above.  The legacy we are tasked to leave behind with our children is to educate them on the family history and the history of God Almighty.  The miracles, no matter how small or how grand, that have taken place in your life need to be talked about and passed on to the children.  Some people I know have created a display of small stones in their front yard, others have pictures and tell stories this way.  Still others have shadow boxes with small objects representing each miracle in their life.  Maybe your story isn’t as grand as Joshua’s in the Old Testament, but it is unbelievably important that they hear it from you, so they in turn can tell their children and so on.

Think carefully about the stories you need to tell your children.  What will you display as a reminder of how great God has been to you?  Don’t put this one off, you can create something small today and build/add on to it over time.  The key is to build it in honor of what God has done in your life and for your family.

Prayer:,
Heavenly Father,
We stand awe of your completely amazing miracles and teaching for our lives.  We draw from Your word a look at the past and for you to reveal the future for each of us.  Help us to see Your blessings in our life and to be able to share them with others.  In Your name we pray – Amen

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©Sondove Enterprises, 2011