A Johaninne Study (John 2:23-25)

²³ Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. ²⁴ But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people ²⁵ and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

These days, there is no shortage of interest in superheroes. Comi-Con is a convention that is specially devoted to the praise and proliferation of comics, especially the ones involving super-heroism. Thousands gather at these events to know the latest trends and stories, and this group is growing in number. On television, some of the highest rated shows depict the fictional lives of superheroes and their foes. Many people love the idea of super-powered good guys saving the world. The stories that depict them are alluring, but the powers they have are also just as fascinating.

It is evident, in this passage, that Jesus has extraordinary powers. He performed remarkable signs, such as exorcising demons and healing the sick. He also knows what people are thinking. It appears that Jesus was the quintessential superhero.

Jesus, however, was not just showing off his ability to heal or display acts of telepathy for the sake of these things alone. In point of fact, his power was much more grander than it appeared. By healing, he was giving a glimpse of the greater healing he would do on the cross to save us from our sins. By exorcising demons, he was foreshadowing the greater exorcism he would do on the cross by defeating Satan. Jesus was not merely telepathic, he was omniscient. He was more than just a superhero. He is God.

The point of these miracles was to reveal the hero so that people could worship him. Jesus’ power is not to be worshipped. Christians do not gather at conventions to praise God’s acts, his acts are penultimate to himself. We worship God.

Many believed in what Jesus was doing, not in who he was. And Jesus knew that. That is why he did not “entrust” himself to them; he was not duped by their inadequate faith. This truth is both challenging and comforting. The challenge to us is to check our faith and believe in Jesus without being deceptive. God knows all people and knows what is in men and women. In Acts 5:1-10, Ananias and Sapphira tried to outwit God by lying about their finances, giving less than they were called to give. As a result, both of them immediately died.

On the other hand, we can take comfort in God’s knowledge of us when our faith is not driven by deception or misappropriation. If our faith is genuine, what have we to fear? Jesus suffered on the cross to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). In other words, God entrusts himself to us because our faith is made adequate through Jesus. He points us from God’s acts to God himself. And now we can worship him without trepidation.

A Johaninne Study (John 2:18-22)

¹⁸ So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” ¹⁹ Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” ²⁰ The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” ²¹ But he was speaking about the temple of his body. ²² When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

In 966 BC, the first temple was built. It was 2700 square feet, with a 45 foot ceiling. The walls and ceiling were covered with cedar and inlaid with gold. The decor included depictions of flowers, cherubim and trees. At the time, this building was truly remarkable. Not long after, however, it was plundered and eventually destroyed. In 20/19 BC, the temple began a rebuilding process that would last until 64 AD. The benefactor financing this construction was Herod the Great. However, he was being far from benevolent. Piecing together historical accounts, it seems Herod was more interested in himself than God. Nonetheless, God used him to build a temple grander than king Solomon’s. The property spanned more than two football fields. The temple itself was similar to Solomon’s in terms of square foot, but it had a 60 foot ceiling. The sheer scale of it was magnificent.

In the midst of the temple’s construction, Jesus tells certain antagonistic Jews that he will raise the temple in three days if it is destroyed. They respond by saying that it has taken forty-six years to build the temple, and it has yet to be completed! But Jesus is not talking about Herod’s temple, or even Solomon’s temple. He reveals that he was talking about himself.

John, the author of this gospel, is adumbrating. He is showing that Jesus knew about his coming death and resurrection. And by foreshadowing the gospel, Jesus revealed that his metaphorical temple, or his body, trumps any architectural structure. In other words, whatever the temple stood for, whatever purpose it had, it finds its fulfillment in Jesus.

Buildings are not important in and of themselves. Even modern buildings have their function. Some are used to house families, some are used to sell merchandise. Still others are used for offices, and others stand as historical landmarks. If a building loses its purpose, it is abandoned and considered a waste of space. The purpose of the temple was, simply, to facilitate the worship of God. So, when Jesus refers to himself as the temple, he is saying that he is the way to God.

Ultimately, this passage finds meaning three days after Jesus dies. In death, Jesus appears to be weak, ostensibly losing to the enemy. Indeed, Satan must have rejoiced in the midst of those three days. But God does not fail. Jesus is resurrected three days later. Before, the way to God was ostensibly lost. But now, God has made a way for us through the greater and truer temple - Jesus Christ.