John 2: Perspective

“Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple and in 3 days I will raise it up.”  “What!” They exclaimed. “It has taken 46 years to build this temple and you can build in in 3 days?”  But when Jesus said “this temple” he meant His own body.”  John 2:19-21. (NLT)

Jesus had just cleared the temple of merchants selling and dealers making exchanges of money.   He used a whip and scattered all their merchandise, livestock and their coins.  He told them to stop turning His Father’s house into a marketplace.

The Jewish leaders were not happy.  They demanded that if God gave Him authority then He needed to show them a miraculous sign.  Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple and in 3 days I will raise it up” (V. 19).. There was just no way He could rebuild them temple that took 46 years to build in only 3 days.  But what they didn’t yet understand was that Jesus was referring to His own body.  Later, after Jesus resurrection, the disciples would remember this and believe  what He had said (v. 22).

This story has lead me to think about perspective.  Jesus said ‘tear down this temple,” and the Jewish leaders believed He was referring to the physical building.  Jesus was speaking of His own body that would be broken, killed and resurrected.  What a profound difference, not just in the reality, but in the significance and impact.

As 2020 continues and changes and uncertainties abound.  I’m stepping back and asking the Lord to give me a new perspective.  I want to step back and take a wider view of what is happening.  Much of what I am spending my time on may not have an eternal value, so what can I surrender?  There are inconveniences that I am facing that have no eternal value, so why allow myself to get so worked up about them?   Some of the things I think need to happen or not happen, have no eternal value, so why not just let those things go.  I must pause and wait to see where the Lord is moving and leading.

I pray today for a shift in my perspective from worry and focusing on things that will pass away, to a focus on eternal and lasting things.   I’m looking to the Holy Spirit and the Word for my peace, provision, hope and for my future.   Amen.

What is God speaking to you today through chapter 2 of John?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

John 1: Unfailing Love and Faithfulness

“So, the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”  John 1:14 (NLT)

In verse 1 we are told that the Word was there in the beginning.  An in verse 14 it says the Word became human.  Jesus is the Word and He was there in the beginning.  He came as a human and was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And if we choose to believe in Him and accept Him, He gives us the right to become children of God.  Jesus has always been and continues to be.  It is Jesus who came, and it is because of His love and faithfulness that I can trust Him.

I need His “unfailing love and faithfulness” in my life.  I need His love to sustain me, comfort me, ground me and embrace me.  I need to know His love for me is beyond my understanding and it doesn’t change or waiver.  He doesn’t love me any less or more based on my actions.  He simply and complexly loves me.  His love is unconditional irrevocable and unending.

His faithfulness goes far beyond anything I can know or comprehend.  I can reflect on my life and can see where He has navigated, directed and protected my life.  Life isn’t always fair.  Complications, disappointments, uncertainties and tragedy have played out in my life.  But even in the darkest moments, He was with me.  I know that I know that I know He was with me, because without Him I’m not sure I would have survived.   His presence brings peace that sustains me and strengthens me.  I know it because I live it.

Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing love and faithfulness.  I pray today for a continual reminder of how great your love for me is. I pray that I will not lose sight of your love for me.  Keep me close and strengthen my trust in You.  I pray for greater faith each day, so that no matter what I face, I trust that You are with me! Amen.

What is God speaking to you today through John 1?  Share your thoughts in the comments below!  I’m looking forward to reading your comments!