Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

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Our text today is Mark 13:1-2:

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” — Mark 13:1-2

The disciples were stunned by the glory of the temple. And rightly so. It was massive. Breathtaking. Some stones weighed over 500 tons. It dominated the Jerusalem skyline. And to the Jewish people, it wasn’t just beautiful, it was sacred. It housed God's presence, their heritage, and their national identity.

So when one disciple turns to Jesus and says, “Look at these stones!” He’s marveling at a structure he believed would last forever.

But Jesus responds with an upsetting declaration and prophecy: “Not one stone will be left on another.”

In other words: "Don’t get too attached to this building and its stones."

Jesus was never impressed by architecture or religious infrastructure. He saw through the facade to the corruption, pride, and misplaced worship inside. And he knew it was all temporary. Forty years later, in A.D. 70, the Roman army would destroy the temple—stone by stone—just as Jesus said.

We still marvel at impressive things. I do. Impressive buildings, homes, and cars. I love to look at them. But even the most beautiful, durable, and influential things in this world can, and will, crumble. Our homes. Our careers. Our churches. Our bank accounts. Our platforms. If your hope is built on what appears impressive, be prepared to have your hope dashed, as it will ultimately collapse. And that's not prophetic, it's just the truth.

But this does not mean we should not appreciate beauty or build meaningful things. Jesus is reminding us not to confuse the temporary with the eternal. So don’t be fooled by the size of the stones. Fix your eyes on the Cornerstone, the One who cannot be shaken.

#FirmFoundation, #Mark13, #EternalPerspective

ASK THIS:

1. What made the temple so significant to the disciples?
2. Why does Jesus predict its destruction so bluntly?
3. What “stones” are you trusting in today that may not last?
4. How can you live more focused on the eternal this week?

DO THIS:

Identify one earthly thing you’ve been placing too much trust in. Name it, then ask God to shift your focus back to what’s eternal.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, I’m tempted to be impressed by what won’t last. Help me trust in what’s eternal. Anchor my life in what cannot be shaken. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Firm Foundation.”