The people that heard Jesus sign were thoroughly confused. Maybe you would be, too!
(20) Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? (21) But he spake of the temple of his body. (22) When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. (John 2:20-22)
What was Jesus talking about?
The idea that it would only take Jesus 3 days to re-raise the temple was preposterous to those who demanded a sign from Him. They give an accurate accounting as to how long it took to erect the temple at the time of this writing.
John though helps us to understand what Jesus was referencing. He called his body the temple, and announced that He would raise it up in three days. This would not have been in their mind at all. It seems that Jesus is concealing the sign for future understanding. They seemed to demand a sign to signify His authority in the moment, and He does not satisfy what they want. He gives them a sign for sure, but does not yield His authority to them by submitting to their request in their way.
Verse 22 points again to the purpose of the book, to help the reader believe on Jesus. He points out that the disciples remember this after Jesus rose. It says they “believed the scripture”. It could have been scripture like Psalms 16:8-11.
[8] I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. [9] Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. [10] For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. [11] Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:8-11)
Not only has the Old Testament predicted Jesus resurrection, but Jesus himself predicted it here and in other instances recorded in the Gospels.
This gave the disciples great courage later. They went from being fearful after his death, to being bold after His resurrection once they had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and believed in the reality of what they had seen and heard. This is what Peter and John said to the very people who killed Jesus.
[18] And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. [20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. [21] So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. (Acts 4:18-21)
There is no greater demonstration of the authority of Jesus Christ than the Gospel- that he was crucified for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
We should respond to this in three ways, among others.
We should believe. The purpose for which John gives the narrative is that we should believe. Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God and is the only way to get to God through forgiveness of sin by trusting in Him. We should repent and believe on Him.
We should be bold. What was predicted by Jesus is exactly what happened. He called His shot and then made it. Should we obey men rather than God? Eternity is too long to go against the God who gave us His Son. We should go with Him, and try to get everyone we can to hear the Gospel so that they can go, too.
We should obey. Jesus is in charge. He has the authority to deal with my sin, and to correct my wrong thinking and behavior. He is in charge.
Application Questions
- Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ?
- Are you bold or are you ashamed? Who have you told about Jesus lately?
- Is there some area of your life that you are treating as off limits to the authority of Jesus Christ? Stop! Obey!