Read John 2:18-25. Circle the words that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
Digging Deeper
“Prove it!” “Show it to me!” When we get into a heated disagreement, we want to hear proofs or examples of one’s claim. We quickly reject assertions or accusations especially if it affects us personally.
Our thinking is this, “You better have proof of your claim and even then I will contest it!”
Jesus stated in verse 16 to the merchants, “Stop making MY Father’s house a house of merchandise.” The merchants and religious leaders rejected Jesus assertion that the Temple was His Father’s house. They thought that He can say, “Stop making the Temple a house of merchandise.” but He didn’t say that. He said it was His Father house. That statement was going to be challenged by the religious leaders.
The merchants had the approval of the Temple priests to be there. The Temple priests were given the authority to care and rule over Temple. Who is this man who claims to have authority over them and over the Temple? Who does he think he is?
The religious leaders challenged Jesus’ claim. They asked for a sign or miraculous action to prove that He had authority over the Temple. Jesus’ reply was to destroy this temple and I will raise it up in three days. If they wanted to know His power and authority, destroy Him and He will come back to life in three days. They misunderstood His words, thinking that He was speaking about the Temple. Jesus gave them that sign that they will destroy Him and He will come back to life in three days. That sign became a reality when they had Him crucified, but He arose on the third day.
The text states in verse 23 that Jesus performed signs to affirm His power and authority over the Temple. He didn’t just perform one sign but many signs. The Scriptures doesn’t state or describe the signs by Jesus, but people saw it and believed in Him. Did the religious leaders see the signs themselves or hear testimonies from others? Undoubtedly, but they weren’t convinced even by the signs He was doing at the Passover.
What will it take for you and me to accept one’s correction of having a wrong attitude or actions? How many examples will be enough? Are we so stubborn that we won’t admit we are wrong or change our ways? Let us be humble to accept correction or even reproof. If we are wrong, let’s admit it and change our ways. If the assertion is incorrect, let’s gently share our reasons speaking in truth and with love. Let’s speak truth in love and accept truth in love.
Kingston