What Jesus Did! 'If God Gave You Authority, Prove It!' — John 2:18-21

Sunday, February 6, 2022

But the Jewish leaders demanded [of Jesus], "What are you doing? If God gave you authority to [clear the Temple of the money changers and animals], show us a miraculous sign to prove it."

"All right," Jesus replied. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

"What!" they exclaimed. "It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?"

But when Jesus said "this temple," he meant his own body.

— John 2:18-21 NLT

Key Thought

My, oh my, there is great hostility from the Jewish leaders in this exchange. But, it helps us get to the root of the whole issue of Jesus. What authority does he have to speak to us about important things and to do important things? What authority does he have to correct our religious practices or change our religious traditions? What authority? Ultimate authority! Jesus' death and resurrection make clear that he acts and speaks with God's authority. The people in his day may not have understood when he spoke to them, but we do because his resurrection is the evidence to us that the crucified and risen Lord IS 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 I know I am unworthy to come into your presence without your grace. Thank you for the gift of Jesus — his loving sacrifice, his willingness to go into the 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.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 28:18-20
  • Romans 1:2-4
  • Hebrews 3:1-8

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, February 6, 2022

A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
"Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, Keep me and all who are related to me from any hint of hatred toward Israel, your ancient people. Let us love them and pray for their..."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Follower, Before you read anything else, I want you to hear the ending of the verses below from the events leading up to and then the actual..."
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"As an encouragement cheerfully to offer intercessory prayer, remember that such prayer is the sweetest God ever hears, for the prayer of Christ is of...."

Illustration

Illustration of John 2:18-21 NLT — "this temple,"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.