Monday 18 February, 2019

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 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. 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

I see 3 lots of people in this passage, all centred 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 for someone 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) and even after 30 years, I think I still have a long way to go.

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

Written by Suzie Hodgson