Chapter 4 · Encounter 40 of 48
The Dwelling Place of God
Prepare
The temple stood at the center of Israel's worship as the place associated with God's presence.
But when Jesus visits the temple in Jerusalem, he makes a surprising statement about its destruction and rebuilding. His listeners misunderstand him, and John later explains what Jesus meant.
As you read, notice what Jesus says about the temple, what John reveals about his words, and how Jesus later describes the relationship he desires with his followers.
Read Scripture
Open each passage here without leaving this Encounter.
John 2:13-22
Jesus Clears the Temple Courts
13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
18The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22After 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.
John 14:18-23
18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
22Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Ponder
- When Jesus speaks about destroying and raising the temple, his listeners assume he means the building. What does John's explanation reveal about Jesus' identity? How does this deepen your understanding of the God who once made his presence known in the tabernacle and temple? Which part of this is hardest for you to take in?
- In John 14:18–23, Jesus promises that he will not leave his disciples as orphans and that the Father and Son will make their home with those who love him. What do these promises reveal about the relationship Jesus intends to establish with his followers?
John 14:18-23
18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
22Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Look Again
Did you notice when Jesus' disciples finally understood his words about the temple?
John 2:22 22After 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.John 2:22
Now return to John 14:20 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. John 14:20
Consider how Jesus' resurrection and his promise of continuing presence illuminate one another. What do they reveal about the new relationship he is establishing with his people?
Practice
Remember Jesus's promise in John 14:18 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18
Spend a few moments considering what this reveals about his character and his commitment to those who follow him.
As you move through the day, return to that promise when you feel alone, uncertain, or tempted to think of God as distant.
Prayer
Thank Jesus that he has not left his people alone. Praise him for revealing God's presence in his own life, death, and resurrection.
Ask him to deepen your understanding of what it means to belong to him and to live in the relationship he has made possible.