January 11
Bible Reading: John 2:18-22
John 2:18-22, “So the Jews said to him, ‘What sign do you show us for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”
Have you ever asked God to show you a sign? Somebody once asked Ken Ham (a well-known creationist), “Why doesn’t your God come and physically show Himself to us?” He replied, “He did, and they nailed Him to a cross!” The Jews asked Jesus for a sign. So, He gave them one!
Herod’s temple was a glorious edifice. It had taken a year and a half to build the temple proper and eight years to finish the courts. Other additions continued over time such that the entire undertaking took forty-six years. The temple trans versed an area of some 750 feet and was easily visible from any part of the city. Some stones used in its construction were of massive proportion (over 60X9X7 feet). Jewish life revolved around the temple, the priesthood, and the sacrifices. The temple was a beautiful edifice and of the highest importance to the Jews—the centerpiece of their Jewish identity. As beautiful as that temple was, something (someone) far more glorious stood in their midst!
The Jews demanded a sign that would authenticate Jesus’ authority for cleansing the temple. His response was to draw their attention to another temple, His own body. Temples serve as a place to meet with God. Herod’s temple was to serve that purpose. Jesus came to fulfill that purpose, and as He else wise explained, “something greater than the temple (was there)” (Matthew 12:6). The God who was to be the object of temple worship stood in their midst in the temple that was His body.
They demanded a sign, so Jesus offered one! Destroy Him, and three days later He would rise from the dead! At that point, not even the disciples understood what He was saying. Later they would. The sign authenticating His identity and authority was nothing less than His resurrection from the dead! That sign is still available to everyone. Do you wonder if God is true, if Jesus is real, if there is a God who loves you, who can deliver from sin and death? Look to the cross! He died for sins and rose from the dead! Having doubts? The cross and the empty tomb are where doubts go to die!
The Resurrection places a confirming stamp on Jesus’ life and words! His empty tomb is where doubts go to die!
MY HOPE IS IN THE LORD
My hope is in the Lord
Who gave Him-self for me
And paid the price
Of all my sin at Calvary.
Refrain:
For me He died;
For me He lives,
And everlasting life
And light He free-ly gives.
No merit of my own
His anger to suppress
My only hope is found
In Jesus’ righteousness [Refrain]
And now for me He stands
Before the Father’s throne
He shows His wounded hands
And names me as His own [Refrain]
His grace has planned it all
‘Tis mine but to believe
And recognize His work of love
And Christ receive [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 