We are the sign of Jesus’ authority

John 2:19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Today, we look at Jesus’ answer to the Jews’ demand that He show them a sign to verify His authority to cleanse the temple of the corruption He found there. First, I want you to notice there’s a play on words here. What Jesus did in the temple was a sign that the temple was to be destroyed. It was prophetic and authoritative. He knew God was destroying the temple of fleshly, powerless, corrupt expressions of religion. His actions were a sign against the temple and the Jews. Second, these words were prophetic. He was speaking of His death by their hands and His resurrection three days afterwards, through which He would raise up a new temple in which God would dwell. Please, let’s stop and meditate on what He said. He prophesied it, and it has come to pass. We are the fulfillment of those words. Listen to the apostle Paul’s understanding of this reality, which he wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17. For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 16Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. In verse 17, the words “He is” are not in the Greek. The NASB puts it there as implied. Literally, it reads, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, a new creation…” The new creation is the body of Christ, the temple raised on the third day after His death. We no longer know Christ in His earthly body, but in His new body, His temple, in which He dwells. In Jesus’ response to the Jews asking for a sign, He spoke of both His earthly body and His new body. Doesn’t this amaze you?! We are encouraged today that Jesus knew us that day when He prophesied that a sign would be given. We are that sign! The living body of Christ, filled with His love and holiness, fulfilling God’s purpose in this world. We have been a sign of the authority of Christ over the temple of God. Ephesians 1:22-23 “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Jesus Christ has authority in His temple. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.