18 Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?"
19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."
20 The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body.
Do you not find it interesting that in our verses for today, the creatures demand proof from the Creator of His Authority? I am reminded of Jesus’ parting words in Matthew given in the Great Commission for us all to take to heart:
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)
The Jews were always looking for a miraculous sign. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. 1 Cor 1:20-25 (NIV)
Amen to that! Paul also tells us that while our vision and understanding now remain clouded one day we will see clearly as our partial knowledge will be displaced by a completed sight and understanding. This will occur when our now becomes then:
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Cor 13:12 (NIV)
Sadly, the brilliance of man may cause him to miss the mark in regard to fully appreciating and apprehending the wisdom and plan of God as he chooses to lean on his own understanding. God’s thoughts and plans, being far superior to human thoughts and ways, are those that even the most brilliant of minds could not conceive. God’s compassion, love and mercy far exceed our fleshly ability to comprehend. The narrow way is found only through the self-effacing faith not through self-confident erudition. The prophet Isaiah tells us:
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
We are also told in Proverbs the key to successful living:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6 (NIV)
Christ’s answers their demand by giving them a sign that was to come – a prophecy of His own death and resurrection, that which would be. Partially in mercy, using figurative language to those who would refuse to believe so that the clearer words would not be held against them, He shows His pristine foresight of His sufferings and resurrection. Paul followed Jesus in preaching Christ crucified – a stumbling block to those who would refuse to believe but to those who would, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Indeed, this was a charge that the unbelieving Jews brought forth in Jesus’ conviction:
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'" Matt 26:59-61 (NIV)
“The saddest condition a man can be in is to sit under the most living ordinances with a dead, stupid, untouched heart.” Matthew Henry
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. Matt 13:14 (NIV)