The Builder

Mark 15:29-32 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
 
THOSE who mocked Jesus as he suffered this humiliating death responded to the evidence before them. John records that on his first visit to Jerusalem, Jesus had cleansed the temple. Then the Pharisees asked, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus reply pointed to the cross and his resurrection: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:18-19­)
   Of course, they did not know Jesus was prophesying his death and resurrection. To them Jesus was a false teacher who spoke extravagant, impossible words to gain a reputation and take control of the temple. Jesus’ ministry revealed his power and authority to do everything he said. Yet, too few believed what he said, and they rejected what he did. That day on Golgotha, the Jews and the mocking crowd believed they had been right. If this man were the Son of God, who possessed power to quickly rebuild the temple, he certainly would not be dying on a cross.  
   As we know, the Son of God would rise to reveal, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
    This is the crucial question, isn’t it? Before the resurrection, you could say that people had an excuse to disregard his power. But even before the cross, Jesus denounced the unbeliever: John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates me hates my Father as well.” And Paul wrote all have evidence of God: Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
   Some who mocked Jesus on Golgotha that day would become Christians. The Spirit would change their unknowing hearts to know Jesus’ resurrection power. They would become witnesses of Jesus’ death and resurrection to help the world know God is the builder of everything. (Hebrews 3:4b)
   This is the joy of every Christian life. As the Spirit continues to build us into Jesus’ resurrection power, it’s good to consider: “What does God need to build into my life?” What do you need? He will raise you from grief to comfort, from worry to trust, from fear to confidence, from separation to reconciliation, from casual faith to true worship.