Which Temple

Lesson #30

Our lesson today will cover the text from John 2:18 – 22. The Jewish leaders watched and listened to Jesus as he cleared the temple courts and then they responded with, “What sign can you show us, since you are doing these things” (John 2:18 NET)? These Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to defend his actions with some mark of divine authentication. It is not clear if they were requesting a miracle, but when challenged like this Jesus does not respond with a sign. Instead, Jesus replied, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19 ESV). The Jewish leaders had no idea what he was referring to and said to him, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and are you going to raise it up in three days” (John 2:20 NET)? The only temple they understood was the building before them, “But Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body” (John 2:21 NET). If we look ahead to Revelation 21:22 we read, “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb” (ESV). As believers, our bodies are considered a temple of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us (1 Corinthians 6:19).

“So after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the saying that Jesus had spoken” (John 2:22 NET). Put yourself in the place of one of the disciples, especially one of his brothers. How would you feel and what would you think when Jesus referred to the temple as his Father’s house and then when he said that he would rebuild the temple in three days. Would you begin to think there was something wrong with him? How is it possible that God who created the universe is standing before you as your brother? Try to get your mind around that and you will then better identify with the people of Jesus time.

Prayer

Father, another simple passage but with profound implications. I think of the temple and the sacrifices offered there for sin. I then think of Jesus becoming the temple in its place and he being the perfect sacrifice for sin. I think of each of us believers being a temple of the Holy Spirit. Father, the coming of Jesus Christ to earth, to live and then to die and to be raised from the dead was unique and a pivot point in history. Thank you for making me a part of this.