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Luke 21:5-6
In this passage some of those in the crowd were speaking of the beauty of the temple. As Jesus overhears these conversations, He comments that a day will come when the temple will be destroyed.
These people are viewing the outward appearance of the temple; the man-made part of the temple. But Jesus sees that what man has done must be torn down and broken so that the inner heart of the temple may be exposed. Man views the outer appearance, but Jesus sees the inner workings of the heart. It is God’s desire to change the inner workings of man’s hearts that man would repent/turn from the evil ways of the sinful nature to seeking His will for their lives in which He created them (Jeremiah 17:10; Ezekiel 36:26; Acts 15:9). Jesus is relaying to the crowd that it is not the outer walls of the temple that is important, but the worship that is conducted in the heart of the temple that is important to Him. The hearts of the Israelite people had grown cold to God and, in worship, only went through the motions of the rituals with self-centered, arrogant hearts which were not in submission to God.
This is an example that God sees the inner working of our hearts, which is where sincerity lives.
We too tend to go through the motions of life in our attempt to accomplish all the requirements of the day. We skim the outside of life to save time which is needed in another place resulting in a slim to none relationship with our Savior who is our mediator to our Creator God. He desires that we do more in our relationship with Him than “skim the outside.” We need to find and make the time each day to spend with God in prayer, study of His Word, and fellowship/testimony with others of how He is working in our lives. This is all part of His desire for us to do our part in helping fulfill the great commission and having a relationship with Him that is continually growing. It is worth it to take a few minutes each day for God. He will reward your heart for doing so.
Dear Lord,
Please help us to see that You desire to have a relationship with us that is from the heart in a sincere act from us to You in obedience to seeking Your will for our lives each day. That we would share the love You have shown us to others so that we can all grow in our relationships with You through salvation in Jesus. Please help us to make the time each day to grow in our relationship with You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.