John 2:18-19 --- So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
I realized this morning we're only a chapter and a half into our journey to see, hear, and know Jesus deeper and there has already been so much to take in! John's Gospel is twenty-one chapters long and I am beyond excited to follow the Lord and really, deeply, take Jesus in. To learn how He walked, talked, and acted.
Today, we find the aftermath of Jesus running all the sellers, money changers, and animals out of the temple courts. During Passover, the temple would've been jam packed with people, so Jesus' actions would've caused a big commotion.
So, we find some people who come to confront Jesus. However, we run into something that we'll see many times as we follow Jesus' in the Gospels and something we still see today. The people did not approach to get to know Him, to discuss things over with Him. Nope. They saw Him step into a bad situation, take authority over it, take action against it, then spoke with zeal about His Father's house and how it should or shouldn't be. Yet they approach Him to ask for a sign. Now, there was no issue with these people wanting to understand on what authority He'd done these things. However instead of desiring to know who Jesus is, where He came from, what authority He acted in, why he was filled with such zeal for temple, etc…; they wanted a sign, a miracle.
We know this is a pattern Jesus runs into throughout His ministry. He does something miraculous. Many people gather, crowd in, push to get closer. Then say, "Show us more! Do another miracle! Give another sign!". Then Jesus will speak a very direct truth and the majority scatter. Disappointed the show is over. Sad, they didn't get to see another neat sign. Upset they didn't get another round of fish and bread. They came for what Jesus could give or do for them. If it wasn't about healing and free food, then they weren't interested in Him, or words, truth, light, and life..
Beloved, do you want to know what Jesus can do for you or do you want to KNOW Jesus?
What we seem to miss is, when we KNOW Jesus, when we walk with Him daily, when we live in relationship with Him, and not just check religious boxes, we have something so far beyond the signs, miracles, and wonders that fade. We go from having a glass of water to having access to the eternal source of Living Water from which we'll never thirst again! (John 4:1-42). We have access to something that can never be taken away, can never be shaken, that will never fade! The real and ultimate miracle is Jesus! The fact we can KNOW Him! We can live IN Him! Oh goodness... I just want to shout right now!!!! ...but Amanda is sleeping currently, so she might not appreciate that. LOL.
To close out, Ephesians 3:14-19 jumped to my heart. This is a prayer Paul wrote/prayed over the church in Ephesus. When we choose to KNOW Jesus, instead of simply wanting to know what Jesus can do for us, this here is a mustard seed glimpse of the peace, power, stability, and oh so much more we come to know and grow in, to have access to.
Ephesians 3:14-19 -- For this reason I bow my knees [in reverence] before the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ], from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name [God—the first and ultimate Father]. May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].
Don't take my word for anything. As always, be the Berean, they heard Paul preaching and were excited and joyful to hear it but went home and checked the scriptures to make sure all they heard lined up. Get into your Bible and let God speak to you.
If you need prayer, to talk, or just someone to listen, reach out. If not to me, to someone. You are not alone. You are loved. You are prayed for this day.
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