The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 2:18-19,
"The Jews then responded to him, 'What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?' Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.'"
The leadership of Israel had allowed a market to develop at the temple where the various offerings to God were to be sacrificed. Those who found it inconvenient or difficult to get their sacrifices to Jerusalem would buy their animals there. The result was a degrading of the temple area, turning it into a marketplace. Jesus drove out the money changers there as well as others who sold doves, etc.
In driving the peddlers out, Jesus was actually challenging what the high priest and others sanctioned at the temple. It was a condemnation of them as Jesus expressed his outrage. His actions were a pronouncement that the leaders of Israel were guilty of not maintaining the sacrosanctity the temple deserved as the place where God was to be worshipped.
Hence, the challenge to Jesus as to his authority in doing so, "What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" Since the leaders of Israel, the high priest and others allowed the marketplace, who did Jesus think he was to challenge them?
"The Jews then responded to him, 'What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?' Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.'"
The leadership of Israel had allowed a market to develop at the temple where the various offerings to God were to be sacrificed. Those who found it inconvenient or difficult to get their sacrifices to Jerusalem would buy their animals there. The result was a degrading of the temple area, turning it into a marketplace. Jesus drove out the money changers there as well as others who sold doves, etc.
In driving the peddlers out, Jesus was actually challenging what the high priest and others sanctioned at the temple. It was a condemnation of them as Jesus expressed his outrage. His actions were a pronouncement that the leaders of Israel were guilty of not maintaining the sacrosanctity the temple deserved as the place where God was to be worshipped.
Hence, the challenge to Jesus as to his authority in doing so, "What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" Since the leaders of Israel, the high priest and others allowed the marketplace, who did Jesus think he was to challenge them?
Jesus' response pointed to the evidence of the ages: his physical resurrection! The resurrection of Jesus Christ provides all the bonafides needed. There can never be any question of who he is and what he did on that cross in light of his resurrection. Jesus, in his person as the Son of God. Jesus as the sinless sacrifice for all mankind. Jesus satisfying the Father's acceptance of his sacrifice. All Jesus said, all Jesus did, all of it was validated and substantiated by his physical resurrection on that third day following his crucifixion.
The incontrovertible proof Jesus Christ's resurrection provides is all we need to recognize his authority and him as the Savior! It was accomplished, certain, inarguable, incontestable, indisputable and unanswerable! We need look no further for his authority and our salvation from God's judgment of us than the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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