“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.”
– John 2:18-21
Main Thought: This conversation with the Jews followed immediately after Jesus had turned over the tables of the money changers and driven them out of the temple area. They questioned His authority, asking for a sign that would validate His authority in performing this cleansing of the temple. He informed them that if they destroyed this sanctuary, He would raise it in three days. It must have seemed to them that He was a madman since it took forty-six years to build Herod’s temple. However, the Jews and the disciples both missed His meaning, for He was not speaking of the physical temple in Jerusalem, but He was speaking of the temple or sanctuary of His body. He was speaking prophetically of when he would raise up his body once again to life. The importance of the resurrection of Christ from the dead cannot be overstated, for as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:17, if Christ was not raised from the dead, then our faith is in vain. However, the multiple appearances of Christ to His apostles, and eventually to over 500 of His followers, is overwhelming eyewitness historical evidence that Christ did rise from the dead and that we have a living hope of eternal life. Besides that, the new life we possess as believers in Jesus Christ is evidence of the resurrection and the fact that He overcame the grave and is at the Father’s right hand even now. Paul states in Ephesians 1:19-20 that the power, or might, by which we have been saved is no less than the power by which Christ himself was raised from the dead. Our faith is not just in a crucified Christ, but a crucified, risen, and living Christ who paid our sin debt and is reigning now in Heaven. While the scoffers and the unbelievers may reject the idea of a substitutionary atonement and a resurrected Lord, we know by faith as His people that He has fully paid our sin debt and will return again for us one day. May we give our thanks daily for our resurrected and living Savior.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Psalm 92:8
“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.” – Psalm 92:8
John 11:25-27
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27
John 8:23-24
“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24
John 6:39-40
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
John 14:19
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19