Jesus' Authority

Jesus' Authority

The "Red-Letter" Words of Jesus

Day Twenty-One

So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.       John 2:18-22

“So the Jews” – referring to the religious leaders – challenged Jesus’ authority. He had just cleared the outer courts of the temple throwing out those who had abused His Father’s House. (See John 2:13-17.) To be honest, the leaders had a right to question His destructive behavior. They didn’t know Him or what motivated Him to do such a thing. As overseers of the temple, it fell within their responsibility to protect the integrity of the temple. Unfortunately, they didn’t so Jesus did.

“What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” they asked. In other words, “Who do you think you are and what do you think you’re doing?” In their minds, He was out of place in their realm of religious dominion and rulership.

Jesus’ answer to their question was prophetic. He understood the darkness in their hearts (John 2:24-25). He saw their self-righteous attitudes, their jealousies, and their indifference to the sufferings of the people. He knew that just like they abused the temple, they were going to abuse The Temple. The ironic part is that, in killing Jesus, they destroyed the temple. When He died, He revealed His authority when the temple’s veil tore in two.

In the above scriptures, Jesus didn’t try to prove or justify Himself. He simply stated what He knew would happen. I think He did it for the benefit of the disciples. After His resurrection, they remembered the Old Testament scriptures prophesying His death and resurrection. But they also recalled this incident which strengthened their faith in His Word.

People today still question Jesus’ authority. However, as Christians, we comfort ourselves knowing He’s in control. He was in control then and He is now. Like the disciples, His authoritative Word builds our faith. Amid the world-wide turmoil we are experiencing, we find resolve and strength in His Word.

 

https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/2.htm

https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/expositors/john/2.htm

https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-thebible/john-2-1.html

https://www.bibleref.com/John/2/John-2-18.html

https://www.bibleref.com/John/2/John-2-19.html