Scripture: John 2:19 (ESV) – “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’”
J.C. Ryle, in his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, highlights the profound and prophetic nature of Jesus’ response to the Jewish leaders. When they demand a sign to prove His authority, Jesus speaks of the temple—not the physical building in Jerusalem, but His own body. This statement reveals a deeper truth about His mission and the coming transformation of worship.
Ryle emphasizes that Jesus is pointing to His death and resurrection, the ultimate proof of His divine authority. By referring to His body as the temple, Jesus teaches that He is the fulfillment of all that the temple symbolized: the presence of God, the place of atonement, and the means of access to the Father. His death would destroy the old order of temple worship, and His resurrection would inaugurate a new covenant, where worship is centered on Him.
The Jews misunderstood Jesus’ words, focusing on the physical structure of the temple. Ryle notes that this misunderstanding reflects their spiritual blindness and inability to grasp the significance of Jesus’ mission. They were preoccupied with the external and temporal, while Jesus was revealing eternal and spiritual realities.
This verse challenges us to see Jesus as the true temple—the One through whom we meet God and find forgiveness and reconciliation. It also invites us to trust in His power to bring life from death, hope from despair, and transformation from destruction.
Reflection Questions:
- How does understanding Jesus as the true temple deepen your appreciation of His death and resurrection?
- Are there ways you might be focusing on external or temporary things instead of the eternal truths of Christ?
- How can you draw closer to Jesus, knowing He is the ultimate means of access to God?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself as the true temple, the One who brings us into the presence of God through Your death and resurrection. Teach us to trust in Your power to transform and redeem, even in the face of destruction or loss. Help us to focus on the eternal truths of Your mission and to worship You with hearts full of gratitude and faith. May we always find our hope and joy in You. In Your name, Amen.
*This devotional is based on J.C. Ryle’s insights from his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 