The Ancient Word...

John 2:12-22 describes how Jesus drove the moneychangers and merchants out of the Temple, shouting, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" (v. 16, NIV)

Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign (semeion) 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."

The Jews 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 (vv. 18-22).

In other Gospels, Jesus calls this promised miracle the "sign of Jonah." As Jonah spent three days in the belly of a fish before emerging to new life, so would Jesus spend three days buried in a tomb before rising from the dead (see Matthew 12:38-40; 16:4; Luke 11:29-30).

Jesus' death and resurrection form the climactic seventh sign in John's Gospel.

The author includes numerous subtle historical details that point to the meaning of Jesus' death. For example, Pilate crucifies Jesus on "the Day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour" (John 19:14) -- at the same time priests slaughtered Passover lambs at the Temple. The soldiers give Jesus a drink using a stalk of hyssop (John 19:29) -- the same plant used to smear the blood of Passover lambs on the doorposts (see Exodus 12:22). And the executioners did not break Jesus' legs (John 19:33, 36) -- just like the Passover lambs, whose bones were not broken (see Exodus 12:46). All show that Jesus dies as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (1:29, 36).

And on the third day Jesus rises from the dead to demonstrate his authority -- to prove the power of his person and the truth of his claims. As Jesus' "sign" of turning water to wine indicates, the Lord provides purification from sins the Jewish sacrifices could not provide. As his other "signs" show, Jesus is the Bread who gives eternal life, the Light of the World, and the Resurrection and the Life.

Jesus did many other miraculous signs (semeia) in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)

... for Today

"Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."

Jesus pressed their buttons. The Jews feared the destruction of the Temple. The Babylonians had destroyed it 600 years earlier. Antiochus Epiphanes had desecrated it 200 years earlier. And Jesus -- during a Roman occupation -- threatens it again now!

His words clanged like a terrorist joke at an airport security checkpoint. In hindsight we know that Jesus' sights were not on a building, but on his body.

John records the various "signs" in his Gospel not to shock or entertain, but to motivate. The signs highlight the capacity of Christ to accomplish his word, and they call us to faith, trust, and life.

The texts show that following Christ is not for the fainthearted. His way frequently contradicts our natural inclinations. Can we find in him the Food, Light, and Life for which we all yearn? Absolutely. And it happens as we release our grip on life and trust that the miracles continue.

The seven signs in John's Gospel may represent the number of completeness, but the story is not complete until we enter into it. Will we?

Discuss...

1. "Jesus pressed their buttons." How can he not do the same for us? Which buttons does he press for you, as you follow him?
   
2. In reviewing the "seven signs," is there one in particular that you need right now in your own life? Which one, and why?

Publishers Note...

This issue concludes our series on Seven Signs in John. After a brief break, we will follow it with a new series on Eternal Life in John, beginning during the week of October 15.--CD & DT

Chris Davis, PhD & David Timms, PhD
Hope International University
Fullerton, California

Bare Roots is a regular publication, free of charge, intended for small group discussion or
personal enrichment. To subscribe or unsubscribe, e-mail cadavis@hiu.edu.
This e-list is not used for marketing nor shared with others.

For back issues of Bare Roots, see http://www.hiu.edu/bareroots.