06-22-08 Sermon Review

The Sign for this Generation
John 2:12-22

We live in a generation where people will believe anything. But no one just happens to believe in Christianity. I have met so many people who would say that they want to be a Christian but cannot force themselves to. When I ask them what it would take to convince them fully, and they usually reply by saying they need evidence, a sign. We are no different from the unbelieving of Jesus' days, it is just that our speech has become a little more sophisticated. Instead of signs, we ask for objective evidence. Instead of miracles, we ask for verifiable facts. The answer Jesus would give this generation will be the same as the one He gave for the Jews of His day. Let us take a look at this passage together.

The Setting - After Jesus' first miracle and spending some time in Capernaum, He visits Jerusalem for the annual passover. Jerusalem would have been crowded during this time, as it was a convenient time for many to come and pay the temple tax which every male Jew over the age of 20 was required to pay. When Jesus arrives at the temple, He notices the money changers and the trading booths. This must have not been the first time He saw these services in the temple. Jesus most likely saw the scene many times.

The Scourge - When Jesus takes notice of these services, He deliberately puts together some chords. Jesus wasn't reacting out of uncontrolled passion, but rather a conscience direct zeal for the Father's house. The problem with the services in the temple was not that it was extorting the innocent temple visitors (though in the second occurence, Jesus points this out as well). The problem was that the temple was to be a hourse of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7). Yet the Jews have put the market place like scene into the temple grounds, most likely the Gentile Court where non-Jews were allowed to come and pray. This would hinder all nations from coming and praying to the Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus drives the sheep and ox out and overturns the money changers tables. As the Messiah, zeal for His house had to consume Him. This act was the first sign that Jesus gave to show He was the Messiah, cleansing the temple as the Messiah was supposed to do (Malachi 3:1-3). Jesus, in front of the many visitors that would have been piling into the temple courts, was making a very public testimony that He was the prophesized Messiah.

The Sign - Yet, this sign was not enough for the Jews. They respond to His zeal by asking for a sign to prove His authority. They were not interested in the message or true religion. They simply cared about authority validated by signs, signs that satisfied them. Many in our days are like this. Instead of heeding the call for repentance proclaimed in the Gospel, contemplating the truth of life and death, they demand from God signs to satisfy themselves. This is a sly way of saying that they are the final authorities. If God were to give thema sign they wanted, God's authority would be validated by the people's authority. It would make God their puppet. Jesus would do no such thing. Yet, Jesus did not leave them alone. What grace that Jesus actually did give them a sign! It is not that God is not willing to give a sign, it is simply that men are to sinful to embrace the signs that God has already given us.

Jesus points to the death and resurrection as the ultimate sign. God could do no greater thing to prove Jesus' divinity and His love for mankind but in Jesus cross and exaltation. It is no wonder that we, even almost two thousand years after the cross, still point back to the miracle of all miracles to validate the authority of Jesus' claims. This sign makes clear who the one with authority is, while showing this God's grace by giving to men a sure sign and secured hope. There is no greater sign than the resurrection, no greater proof of His love.

The Scriptures - What amazes me is the contrast between the true disciples and the unbelieving Jews. What sets the true disciples is that they believed, and the object of their belief was the Scriptures and the words of Jesus. The Apostles putting their faith into the Scriptures rather than the greatest sign of the resurrection says mountains about the reliability and the authority of the Scritpures! Where do you turn to when you need to be re-assured of Christ's love for you? Do you turn to Romans 8:31-39? I pray you do! Our faith should be on the solid rock of Jesus. Nothing more clearly points us there than the perfect Word of God.

So then, what sign will you ask for? What will it take for you to put your faith in Jesus Christ? What will prove to you the love of God for you? Only in the Scripture and in the death and exaltation of Jesu Christ will you find the rest of your soul's search. Come, come and enter the throne of grace and beholed the King. Find mercy and grace in time of need. See and taste that the Lord is good. Fall at His feet and adore Him, for His love for you is great. His nail-pierced hands and His wounded side that are still visible on His resurrected body proves it. Stay strong and God bless!