What Jesus Did : John 2:18-21 - What Right?
by Phil Ware
What Right? - John 2:18-21
Some Jews said to Jesus, "Show us a miracle for a sign. Prove that you have the right to do these things." Jesus answered, "Destroy this temple and I will build it again in three days." The Jews answered, "People worked 46 years to build this temple! Do you really believe you can build it again in three days?" (But the temple Jesus meant was his own body. (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
My, oh my, there is great hostility in this exchange. But, it helps us get to the root of the whole issue of Jesus. What right does he have to speak to us about important things? What right does he have to correct our religious practices or change our religious traditions? What right? Every right! Jesus' death and resurrection make clear that he acts and speaks with God's authority. They may not have understood when he spoke it, but we do. The crucified and risen Lord IS the Temple of God. He is the focus of worship. He is the authority on the will of God. He is the way to the Father.
Today's Prayer
Holy and Almighty God, you are holy and without your grace, I know I am unworthy to come into your presence. Thank you for the gift of Jesus—his loving sacrifice, his willingness to go into the unknown world of death, and his triumph over the grave. Forgive me for holding back part of my heart, part of my will, from his authoritative word. I want to live boldly, based on his authority and honoring your will as he has taught it. In the name of your Son and my Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
It was almost time for the Jewish Passover. So Jesus went to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem Jesus went to the temple. In the temple area Jesus saw men selling cattle, sheep, and doves. Jesus saw other men sitting at tables. These men were exchanging and trading people's money. Jesus made a whip with some pieces of rope. Then Jesus forced all these men and the sheep and cattle to leave the temple area. Jesus turned over the tables and scattered the money of the men that exchange money. Then Jesus said to the men that were selling pigeons, "Take these things out of here! Don't make my Father's house a place for buying and selling!" When this happened the followers of Jesus remembered what was written {in the Scriptures }: "My excitement for your house will destroy me." Some Jews said to Jesus, "Show us a miracle for a sign. Prove that you have the right to do these things." Jesus answered, "Destroy this temple and I will build it again in three days." The Jews answered, "People worked 46 years to build this temple! Do you really believe you can build it again in three days?" (But the temple Jesus meant was his own body. After Jesus was raised from death, his followers remembered that Jesus had said this. So his followers believed the Scripture {about him}, and they believed the words Jesus said.) Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. Many people believed in Jesus because they saw the miracles he did. But Jesus did not trust them. Why? Because Jesus knew the things people were thinking. Jesus did not need any person to tell him about people. Jesus knew what was in a person's mind.-- John 2:13-25 (ERV)
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