Thursday 11 December, 2014

13 It was almost time for the Jewish Passover Feast. So Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courtyard he found people who were selling cattle, sheep and doves. Others were sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So Jesus made a whip out of ropes. He chased all the sheep and cattle from the temple area. He scattered the coins of the people exchanging money. And he turned over their tables. 16 He told those who were selling doves, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered what had been written. It says, “My great love for your house will destroy me.” (Psalm 69:9) 18 Then the Jews asked him, “What miraculous sign can you show us? Can you prove your authority to do all of this?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple. I will raise it up again in three days.” 20 The Jews replied, “It has taken 46 years to build this temple. Are you going to raise it up in three days?” 21 But the temple Jesus had spoken about was his body. 22 His disciples later remembered what he had said. That was after he had been raised from the dead. Then they believed the Scriptures. They also believed the words that Jesus had spoken. 23 Meanwhile, he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast. Many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing. And they believed in his name. 24 But Jesus did not fully trust them. He knew what people are like. 25 He didn’t need others to tell him what people are like. He already knew what was in the human heart.

I see 3 lots of people in this passage, all centered around belief. Firstly, the ‘many’ who believed in Jesus because they saw the signs and wonders he was doing V23; secondly, the disciples who believed the scripture and what Jesus had said – after He was raised from the dead V22 and the last group, “the Jews”, who heard and saw – but wanted another “sign” v18.

It’s easy to think about non-believers as wanting signs, but I think I can see myself in all 3 groups. How many times have I heard of something miraculous Jesus has done and yet I’m still just a bit cynical. Or how often have I wanted an additional “sign” to confirm something in the Word He is saying to me? Am I any different to the Jews in not accepting His authority or cynical that Jesus is able to do what He has said He will do?

John writes his gospel so that I can come to believe (20:31) yet after 30 years, I think I still have a very long way to go.

Lord Jesus, help me to believe so much more in who you are – your authority & power, my saviour and Lord.

Written by Suzie Hodgson