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Luke 21 : 1-4 "THE HISTORIC TEMPLES OF JERUSALEM"

Day 253 – Luke 21

Text: Luke 21 : 1-4

THE HISTORIC TEMPLES OF JERUSALEM

Jerusalem enjoyed having three Temples built in the city.

The most famous of the Temples built at Jerusalem was the one built by Solomon. The Scriptures record the way in which King David worked to give his full support to the whole building project (cf. 1 Chronicles 22-29). After his death, Solomon his son ascended the throne and built the Temple. The Temple stood and lasted till King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and conquered Jerusalem. He razed the Temple to the ground.

The land of Israel was to lie fallow for 70 years, according to the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:12; 29:10). The second Temple was built by Zerubbabel, after the Jews were allowed to return by the Persian King Cyrus (Ezra 1:2). The building of the second Temple was recorded in the Book of Ezra. This Temple stood till King Herod the Great. The Second Temple was smaller in scale than Solomon’s Temple, and certainly lacked the splendour of the First Temple. The older men who saw the laying of the foundation of the Second Temple wept, as they recalled the glory of the Temple that was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar (Ezra 3:12).

King Herod re-built the Third Temple for the Jews. This Temple was as magnificent as that of Solomon, if not more so. Herod not only built the Temple proper but also developed the Temple precincts. The Temple was so outstanding that it could be seen from a great distance. Great white stones were specially brought in so that the Temple would stand out, and be seen from far away.

The Temple precincts were very spacious, and thus there were places where teachers could gather and teach their students, and people could actually buy and sell. (This was that portion of the Temple cleansed by the Lord Jesus Christ).

There was also a Court of the Women. In this place there were some thirteen chests where people could put their donations. There were thirteen choices to consider. The money collected would be used as specified.

THE CONTEXT OF THE GIVING TOWARDS THE SUPPORT OF THE TEMPLE

As Jesus sat teaching the people who gathered to hear Him, He saw people coming to the Temple to give their donations.

“And He looked up and saw the rich
putting their gifts into the treasury.”
Luke 21:1

The context of Jesus’ comment on the subject of giving is quite important. The Gospel of Mark also mentioned this incident (Cf. Mark 12:38-44). It is important to note this fact. When the Gospels were written, there were no chapter and verse divisions at all.

In Mark’s Gospel, this incident is written alongside the reference to Jesus’ remarks about the hypocritical scribes. This was also the case in Luke’s Gospel.

However, in Mark’s Gospel, this mention of the widow’s gift was written as the concluding portion of Mark chapter 12. In Luke’s Gospel, this incident was written as the beginning of Chapter 21. When placed thus, it is difficult to understand the context and thus the significance of what Jesus was trying to teach.

THE GIVING OF THE RICH

The arrangement in Mark’s Gospel appears to give us a clearer context. Jesus had just finished rebuking the scribes publicly for their hypocrisy and avarice. The scribes were among the most educated people in the land.

They were not only the people who copied the Scriptures, but also provided necessary services to those who were poor and illiterate. Widows would come to the scribes and ask for assistance to interpret the wills of their late husbands. The scribes would also be consulted with reference to the sale of properties etc.

While they may appear to offer an important service to people in need, they were actually making money out of the people who turned to them for assistance. Jesus noted that among their victims were widows! The educated scribes were literally robbing the widows through their “services.” (Leviticus 27 details how the educated priests/scribes were to help the people in various services. They were to assist people when they wish to dedicate various gifts to the Lord. The danger of abuse of this privilege is very real. Those who lacked integrity could easily take advantage of unsuspecting naive people).

The rich could always justify how they made their money. They could also justify themselves by pointing out the fact that they give alms to the poor out of their profits! They were indeed giving alms to the poor, but Jesus was obviously not impressed at all.

THE GIVING OF THE POOR WIDOW

A widow in the first century would be particularly hard hit, if she was not wealthy. It would have been difficult to obtain a job to support herself. Jobs for women did not come by easily.

Nevertheless, this poor widow made a special trip to the Temple, and then put in whatever she had. Jesus commended her highly with these words.

“Truly I say to you, that this poor widow
had put in more than all;
for all these out of their abundance
have put in offerings for God,
but she out of her poverty put in
all the livelihood that she had.”
Luke 21:3-4

What a challenge it is to us to consider how we are giving our offerings! If the Lord Jesus were to take note of the way we are giving, what would He say? Would He be unimpressed, because we give out of our abundance? Or would He be pleased because we love God enough to give sacrificially even when times are hard?