Heaven's Proof Positive

S - “The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; … The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?" 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. 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 2:13-15, 18-22 NASB

O - Jesus was asked to prove he had the authority to do what he was doing; and what he was doing was polar opposite to the culture and prevailing belief structure of his day.  His answer?  Resurrection.  Resurrection is the proof of Jesus' identity and actions.  According to the Scriptures it confirms that Jesus is God's son, the Christ, the Judge, that he will return and that our sins are forgiven (“and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:17 NASB). In fact, the resurrection is the proof that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and that the Father loves him (cf. John 10:11-18). The context of Kingdom living here and hereafter (the reality which engages all the rest) is the resurrection of Jesus not the crucifixion.

A - The assignment heaven gave the Apostles was to be witnesses of Jesus' resurrection (Acts 1:21-22). The crucifixion is essential and beyond imagination but is not the point of the person, life and teaching of Jesus.  The resurrection was the focus and emphasis and was such for his followers and of all their speaking as recorded in Acts. Paul will say to the believers in Corinth (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 19 NASB): “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. … namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them …”  Since resurrection is heaven's emphasis concerning the person and activity of Jesus, shouldn't it be earth's and mine?

P - God of heaven and earth and all there is,

Thank you sending Jesus to clarify both your person and purposes.  It is a wonderful reality to experience your love and the power of resurrection life, spirit life, here on earth.  I am grateful that you are no longer counting sins and are calling all people to come near in Jesus.  I will join his followers in focused living, speaking, thinking and acting according to his resurrection and irrepressible life. You love the world and I thank you for letting me love you back.

Living in Jesus and his indestructible life,

Steve