John 2:18 – 22 Then the Jews demanded of him, “What miraculous signs 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 Jews replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body.
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.
Do you remember what just happened, before this passage? In a sweep of righteous anger, Jesus had single-handedly cleared out the temple. As you can imagine, the temple security guards were quick to arrive on the scene, along with the temple big-wigs.
“Who do you think you are?” they asked. “What gives you the right to come in here and do this?”
Now, I think it is interesting that they didn’t arrest Jesus. Something tells me that deep down, they knew he was right. They knew that what had been taking place in God’s house was disgraceful. But they had turned a blind eye. Now, here was this guy who had looked corruption in the face and done something about it. They were indignant. But they didn’t actually accuse him of being wrong.
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
Huh?
Say what?
Have you ever looked at God’s Word, or gone through a situation, and you just don’t understand? Perhaps there is a specific scripture passage that baffles you. Or perhaps you are going through something that just doesn’t make sense. That’s okay, my friend. Just keep seeking Him. At the right time, it will all make sense.
We know now that Jesus wasn’t talking about the actual bricks-and-sticks temple. He was talking about His own body, which would be destroyed and raised again on the third day. But at the time, I’m sure even His disciples were scratching their heads and saying, “What is he talking about?”
Later, though. Much later, after Jesus had been crucified, and laid in a tomb, and then rolled the stone away – they remembered! Oh! So this is what He was talking about!
And then, they got it. Then, they understood. And their faith was strengthened.
No matter what you are going through, my friend, keep the faith. Keep trusting in Jesus. And one day, it will all make sense. You will realize, just as the disciples did, that God had a perfect, beautiful plan all along.
Dear Father, Please help me to keep trusting You, even when things in my life don’t seem to make any sense.
Amen
For a second cup, see: Matthew 12:38, 26:61, 27:40; Mark 14:58; Luke 24:5 – 8; 1 Corinthians 6:19
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Update: Just received word that Dad is out of surgery, awake, drinking coffee and eating a muffin! 🙂 They got two good samples. May not hear anything until Monday – tomorrow at the very earliest. Thanks for your prayers, and I’ll keep you posted.
Thursday, September 11, 2008, 11:21 a.m.
Dear Renae,
I came back to your site just to say that I am praying for your Dad. Seems alright that you came im advance. I also have a dear hiker-friend who are going through surgery tomorrow. the forth this summer. To remove yet another big gall-stone. Please remember her too. She’s a unique person and has gone through more that most people I know of.
If, and I know that must be so, Jesus could return from the dead in three days; the Almighty sure can see to that his diciples also are helped when in need.
By his stripes we are healed.
From Felisol
Thank you, Felisol. You are a good friend. I wish we could meet face to face – maybe someday we will! If not here, then in heaven, right?
Dear Renae,
when God will, we’ll meet. I feel close to you in the spirit anyway. You have given me so much.
I have also engaged the Pilgrim Pals to pray for your Dad. They are a faithful, loving, caring bunch.
From Felisol
Thanks, Felisol. And tell all the Pilgrim Pals thank you, as well.
This is a beautiful post, something I constantly need to be reminded of. God has been good enough to reveal a few things to me lately, reasons why things in my life over the past year have happened. I’m always so thankful to know, but quick to question when I dont understand.
Many prayers for your dad.
Thank you, Liz. It is always a relief to find out the reason behind a particular circumstance, or see some good come from something difficult. But God is faithful!
Thank you so much for the prayers, and thanks for stopping by!
Dear Renae,
Such great news about your papa. Will keep praying.
This post, once again, shows that our minds and spirits often run on parallel tracks. I just posted on the same theme of trusting and believing that God has a greater purpose when things in our lives don’t make sense..
Your take on the scriptures is always fresh and causes us to look at a familiar passage in a new light.
This post today is no exception.
Love you,
Jlo
Thanks, Renae. I’m emailing this to a couple of friends.
Blessings,
Jean
Judi, I can’t wait to read your post. It is neat how God works, isn’t it? Thanks so much for the encouragement.
Jean, Thanks! I hope it encourages them.
Hi Renae — feeling a bit anxious for all of you in Texas. They say EVERYTHING that-a-ways is BIG so you may be hundreds of miles from where IKE is supposed to hit! Still, I would think you’d be in for wind and rain! Praying for you!
I’m so glad to hear that all is well with your dad thus far! That’s the first answer to prayer…
Understanding the reasons for the difficult things in my life is such a faith-challenger for me, and it is so easy to be quick to question, as Liz mentioned. I’m just like that, too, because my human mind thinks it can figure everything out! (Little do I know, I’m sure!)
Over the years of caring for my daughter, this has come up in my mind many times. I have come to realize that God’s primary interest in my life is not for my physical comfort, even though He cares deeply about that and answers my cries, but He is more concerned that I become more like Jesus through everything. I guess it is the purifying-the-gold process that is going on, and it helps me to think of this when things are tough. There is a very important overall purpose that I can know now, even when the individual trials themselves make absolutely no sense!
Thanks, Carol-Ann! We are expecting rain and heavy winds where I am, but I think we’re safe from any real danger. Thanks for thinking of me!
Jeanette, Your life is such a testimony to God’s refining . . . Those who go through the most difficult things end up being the most beautiful reflections of God’s love. Your love for others and for God shines through your writing. I wish you hadn’t had to go through some of the things that you have, but I am so glad for the person you are.
Give my love to sweet Coral.
Thanks so much, Renae! You are such an encourager! I think that God blessed you with that ability. I’m glad you are home safe and sound. Coral is sitting here beside me, and I am giving her a hug from you right this minute! (She gave me a cute smile to send to you!)
Tell Coral she put a smile on my face! 🙂