READING: Ezekiel 4-6, Psalm 82, John 2
“Destroy this temple,” Jesus said, “and I will raise it up in three days” (John 2:19). Apparently, neither the people around Him nor His disciples understood what He meant. After all, it had taken years to build the temple—and He would rebuild it in three days if it were destroyed? That idea just didn’t make sense.
The writer of John tells us that Jesus was talking not about the physical structure of the temple, but about His own body. Yes, it would be “destroyed” in death, but He would rise to life again three days later. What catches my attention today is that the disciples understood what Jesus had said only after His resurrection. He fulfilled His Word, and the disciples then recalled His prophecy: “So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made” (John 2:22). What was stored in their memory banks came roaring to life when their Lord conquered death.
This is the case for us, too. Sometimes we read God’s Word, perhaps struggle with understanding it, and at times store its confusing thoughts (at least to us) in the back of our minds. But, God then later orchestrates events that drive us back to the text—and we discover again that God always keeps His Word. He communicates to us today so we might serve Him well today and tomorrow. That’s one reason we must daily take time to read God’s Word.
PRAYER: “God, I praise You for Your Word. Help me to remember it and apply it each time I need it.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 7-9, John 3
