April 8 - Show Us a Sign!

April 8 – Show Us a Sign!

After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 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. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 

The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 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.

Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. (John 2:12-25)

After the wedding party, Jesus retreats for a few days and then heads to Jerusalem for the Passover.  This is a couple of years prior to the Passover which signifies the end of His life.  Do you notice the bookends of His ministry?  He wasn’t ready to begin His ministry at the wedding, but His mother pushed Him to do so.  Here we are at Passover, though and Jesus makes quite a public appearance – driving animals from the temple, tossing tables and scattering coins.  This is a way to attract attention!  Jesus clearly begins His ministry in a very active manner.

Now, if something like this happened in a public marketplace today, the crazy person would be hauled away by the local police.  In Jesus’ day, though, they were ready to listen to Him and wondered what it was that He might have to say.  If He was going to say something important, they did want to see some miraculous signs to back up His claims.

When He prophesied regarding His death and resurrection, they didn’t understand … that isn’t surprising.  John ensures that we know His disciples remembered these words after the resurrection.  The beginning of Jesus’ ministry was as important as the end.  Jesus brings cohesion to the entire event.

He did perform signs and wonders while He was in Jerusalem and many people believed.  He wasn’t ready to trust them … He knew what was in their hearts.

Does that last sentence impact you at all?  It does me.  Jesus knows my heart.  He knows yours.  Can He trust you with His life and power?