Not the Herodian Marvel but the Heavenly Heart (edited with ChatGPT)

 

The temple authority in Jerusalem shifted from one competing religious-political dynasty to another until it was ultimately shaped by Herodian influence to serve the interests of the Herodian government. Lacking both religious and political legitimacy among the wider population, the Herodian dynasty relied on political maneuvering, oppression, persecution, and grand investments in the temple and other buildings to gain popular support—ultimately, in vain.

 

People were indeed impressed by the temple projects funded by the Herodian dynasty. Even the disciples tried to share their admiration with Jesus, pointing out the grandeur of the temple buildings. But Jesus was not impressed. Instead, he prophesied that not one stone would be left upon another—that the entire structure would be destroyed. He was telling them that in the late 60s and early 70s AD, the temple would be utterly demolished when the Jewish people revolted under the leadership of a false Messiah, Simon Bar Kokhba.

 

Jesus was never impressed by the Pharisees either. They sought the best seats, relished grand titles, judged rather than helped sinners, and paraded their self-righteousness. They demanded honor and respect while doing everything for appearances rather than pursuing internal purity that should naturally overflow into external righteousness. Like the Herodians, they were manipulative—knowing exactly which fool should say which foolish thing on stage while they pulled the strings from behind, like puppet masters.

 

Jesus held them to a high standard and was never swayed by their pretense. He was amused when a wealthy man claimed to have kept all ten commandments. He was pleased when someone correctly summarized the law as love—first for God, then for others. He rejoiced when a tax collector vowed to repay those he had wronged. But he was concerned about another temple—one they would destroy, yet he would raise in three days. Unlike their admiration for the temple’s marvels, Jesus was focused on something greater: the dwelling place of God in human hearts.

 

Jesus is high maintenance, dear. He looks from the top down, not from the bottom up. His measure of perfection is the Heavenly Father, not human foolishness.

 

Jesus knew that the faithful needed only the Holy Spirit. Because he loved them, he came first to teach them how to become the true temple of the Holy Spirit and to die for them, making them worthy of that gift. Truth and grace came through Jesus. That is why he was impressed not by temples built with marvel but by hearts transformed by marvel of the Word of God.

 

Jesus was always complaining—not because he was bitter, but because his perfection was from heaven. The prophets before him also complained because their standard was not set by manmade idols but by the living God. Even in our world today, those who have experienced excellence struggle to accept mediocrity. Once you know perfection—Jesus the Christ—you cannot accept imperfection as the standard.

 

Think of it this way: Suppose you dream of building the wealthiest company in the world. At first, you open a small shop, but you keep going. Other shop owners call you foolish for not settling. Then you build a factory, but you push forward. Some will laugh at your ambition. Eventually, you establish a multinational corporation, yet even the rich will tell you to slow down. But you have a dream, and you will not stop—until even the sun and moon bow before you. Because you have a dream.

 

Once you understand Jesus, it becomes impossible to settle for anything less. Your mind and body will reject the lie that darkness is light. Jesus is not overrated—he is essential. The motto is Jesus or nothing. Your vision is not a mere PLC, not the office of the Pharisees (the puppet masters behind the fool with the open mouth). Your vision is Jesus. And since your faith begins with Jesus, nothing else will ever satisfy.

 

After all, Joseph’s brothers thought they were destroying his dream, but in reality, they were playing their part in fulfilling it. Imagine having a recurring childhood dream of inventing something. Along the way, you discover many things. People admire your work but urge you to stop. Yet, you press on. Or picture yourself climbing a mountain, facing rolling stones meant to crush you—only for them to become weightless like paper at your touch. Do obstacles stop you? Do the stones from God's mountain frighten you? No—they only confirm that you are on the right path.

 

It’s spot on, dear ones. You are playing your role perfectly. The only problem? The stones so far have been small. And I expect far scarier ones to come.