“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.
