The cryptic words Jesus
speaks on that day in the wake of his cleansing of the temple courts during
this Passover season in Jerusalem are a prediction of the events that would
take place three years later during this very time of year and in this specific
place. Now that Jesus' ministry has
officially begun his mind is already focused on the climax of his mission to
seek and save humanity.
For the next three
years he will dedicate night and day searching for His lost sheep, but it will
all lead to the moment when he would voluntarily place his life at the mercy of
evil men, and permit them to snuff out his life in order save the very ones who
kill him. He tells the temple leaders
you will "destroy this temple"-- a direct reference to the death they
would seek. They would precipitate the
kangaroo court, the beating, the flogging, the insults, the nails, the
spears. Destroying the temple is their
contribution-- building it back up in three days is his. This temple is his, and because of this fact,
he has the authority to clean it up and expel those who profane it. Herod may have built it, but Jesus is the one
who makes it glorious, in fact even greater than the Temple of Solomon (read
Haggai 2:9).
More so, Jesus
also states that this temple, his body, is also his. Thus, even if he chooses to let it be
destroyed, it is not the end. He knows
that he will be raised up within three days.
It's amazing to me to recognize that Jesus already knows his destiny at
this point, but these words crystalize his resolve to enter the gauntlet. It's overwhelming to consider the perspective
that Jesus is already saying, "this is my body" which is laid down for
our salvation. His body. His choice. His
Gift. His covenant-- forever…with me.
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