February 5, 2023

Seeing through Jesus’ Eyes

 “The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. So, when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.” John 2: 20-22 (NASB)

Have you ever heard something you remembered later? How about something that happened you only to recall it later? It didn’t seem to have any relevance at the time it was said, but now it does. I will remember this one time for sure. It rings in my memory. In 2017, a young lady came to me crying. She just miscarried. She was a young lady with a mature Christian’s spirit. God knows I respected her, but she was broken. She didn’t understand why. As she cried on my shoulder, she asked me if I knew why. “Why did it happen?” I told her I didn’t know, but God knew. There must have been a reason only God knew at the time. It was no surprise to Him. This occurred in September 2017. She was a few months pregnant at this point. She went home to be with the Lord in January 2018. If she had carried to full term, not only would she have… well you get the idea. I didn’t get it myself until about three years ago. God knows the timing of all things. We don’t. Jesus knew His future, but the Jews didn’t.

  The Jews still in their unbelief questioned the statement by Jesus, “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body.” During this period of time, the Jews still had not completed the temple. It was still under construction. In fact, it would take another thirty-six years to finish the construction. The Jews still did not trust Herod (the ruler), so they even questioned themselves as to when completion would be final. Their trust was in their own, “I will.” Jesus has a different “I will,” though. Even the most obscure statement by Jesus brought about such a profound reality for mankind. His death and resurrection. They missed it though, still caught up in the physical appearances of their human efforts of, “I will.” Jesus laid upon them the greatest truth of all time. He would die and raise Himself in three days. This temple (His body) would not stay in the ground. Nothing could stop it. They couldn’t stop Jesus, “I will.” They missed the truth that even the disciples missed until after His death. Only after His death and their writings of Scripture did they remember His statement that day, “I will.”

  Many times, in the Christian walk there are times when something happens to us, and we question the occurrence. How would God allow these things to happen? Does He understand what has just happened? Why me? Why them? Why? The statement of Jesus rings in my ears to this date about my story. He knew the reason. He knew the timing. He knew her fears. He knew I wouldn’t be able to process it until later… just like the disciples. He knows it all. This is where most Christians crumble under the weight of life’s troubles. It is called a crisis of faith. They don’t see it through the lens of faith in Jesus Christ, “I will.” But we must trust. Even when we can’t see ahead. He sees what is perfect and He acts in perfection. Is it always our idea of perfection? No. We have to trust those simple words like He said, “I will.” Then make His will, my will too.