Lessons from John 2: Jesus Alive in You
Jesus knew the true intent of these men’s hearts and minds.
John 2:15 tells us that He made a whip out of cords and He used it to drive out both the 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!”
The disciples were immediately reminded of the Old Testament scripture from Psalm 69:9 where David recorded the words, “Zeal for your house consumes me.”
Jesus in All of Us
They again are given a glimpse into His deity, power, and authority over people and situations. The religious leaders failed to recognize this. They demanded that Jesus prove His authority by giving them a miraculous sign. Jesus answered their demand by saying, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
The Jews took this to mean the temple which Herod had spent over 46 years remodeling and enlarging, which was still not complete. Again we see their eyes focused on the physical building. But Jesus was not talking about the physical temple. He was talking about the temple of His body that they would kill and He would raise with His power and authority after three days.
Again, here He is predicting His own death and resurrection. But being spiritually blind, these religious leaders misunderstood what He was saying. It would be His disciples who would remember it after He was raised from the dead.
In verses 23-25 we see that because of His many miracles, people professed to believe in him. But Jesus did not accept their empty words because He knew their real hearts and motives. They only believed for what they thought they could get from Jesus. Their hearts were not pure and their motives were indeed wrong.
What they really wanted was for Jesus to make them into a great nation and help them defeat their enemies. They did not understand that the miracles Jesus accomplished were simply signs to help them believe that Jesus was the Promised Messiah. By believing this truth they would have been given life in His name.
Only Jesus has the power and authority to cleanse and purify people.
The question is, do you believe in Jesus as the unique Son of God, the Promised Savior, the One and Only way to God the Father? Have you confessed your sins before Him and received God’s precious gift of Jesus Christ, the Anointed One as your personal Savior and Lord of your life?
If you are not sure how to go about this, please open your Bible and pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the words of God written on these pages. Let Him lead you to the gift of salvation.
Maybe you are already a Christian but are in need of His gift of cleansing and purification.
If so, what sin is He laying on your heart and mind right now? Won’t you turn to Him and confess it, whatever it is? Will you allow Him to display His righteous acts in and through you?
Knowing and trusting that Jesus has power and authority over your life and circumstances allows you the freedom to live as He has called you to. It allows others to see Him actively working in and through your life today.
Who in your life needs to see Jesus alive in you?
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach