REFLECTIONS ON JOHN 2:18-25 - ELIZABETH WALLINGFORD, ST. AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, OKLAHOMA CITY

John 2: 18-25
The Jews then responded to him, "What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." They replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

Meditation
Many people require a sign; something they can see, hold, smell or hear, to have faith.  Blind faith does not come without an ultimate sacrifice.  Jesus knew many didn’t believe in his words, but he gave himself up for us anyway. He knew once he did that we would believe. He knows us and requires no explanation.  His love is the ultimate love because it is God’s love and it requires nothing in return.     

Prayer
Dear God, thank you for your love and for your son, Jesus Christ, who gave himself up for us so we may believe in your words and walk in your ways forever and ever, Amen.

~Elizabeth Wallingford, St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, Oklahoma City