The Temple – The Body of Jesus | Devotional | John 2: 18-22

Last time I read how the Lord Jesus overturned the tables of the sellers and money changers at Easter, because they had turned the Temple into a trading house. The incident did not go unnoticed by the Jews. I read verses 18 to 22:

The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and yet You will raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking about the temple of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. (John 2:18-22, NASB)

The Jews were perplexed as Jesus dared to wreak havoc in the Temple and still call the Temple “My Father’s house.” They asked for a sign, permission if you want. In response, Jesus suggested that they destroy the Temple, and He would raise it in three days. The statement caused them even more confusion. They did not understand how anyone could rebuild a building in 3 days, which had been built in 46 years. Even with the technologies of our times, no one could possibly do this. However, the Lord Jesus spoke to them metaphorically. He was referring to the Temple of His body. In other words, he said to them: kill me and in 3 days I will rise. Which is what really happened. The Jews killed Him, He stayed 3 days and 3 nights in the tomb and then rose again. Recently we all celebrated His resurrection.

On the one hand, the Temple in Jerusalem overshadowed the Temple of the body of the Lord Jesus. In the year 70 AD, the Temple in Jerusalem was completely destroyed. It was no longer needed, because sacrifices were no longer needed, for the Lord Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. On the other hand, the Temple of the Holy Spirit refers to us who have believed in the Lord Jesus. But I will address this topic in another post.

Let us pray and thank God for the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, who brought us forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

“My Father who art in Heaven, I thank you for the Lord Jesus, who died on the cross, stayed 3 days in the grave and rose from the dead, overcoming death. By believing in His sacrifice, I am forgiven of my sins and have the promise of eternal life with You. Amen”

Dear friends. Let us cherish daily what Jesus has done for us and serve Him wholeheartedly.

God bless!

Translated by Ina Croitoru