Time To Rest

By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all his work.  And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done. 
Genesis 2:2,3 NIV

                                   
After God had finished creating, day and night;  sky between the waters (remember the earth had been encapsulated in water before the flood), dry ground with all the vegetation,  sun - moon and stars to govern between day and night, birds and fish, wild animals and finally mankind, He rested.

To follow His example we also rest from our work and part of our rest is to corporately worship God. It's called keeping the sabbath.  Hebrews 4:9-11 "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;  for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from His own work, just as God did from His.  Let us, therefore make every effort to enter that rest..."

Resting includes not checking our stocks and bond prices.  Not making mental notes and lists of things that need to be done at work on Monday.  Not even doing housework or repairs, if at all possible.  This of course does not mean that we become "religious" in what we do or don't do.  God wants us to have a heart prepared to rest and to honestly worship Him.

We have a week ahead of us that we can work and do the things we want.  Today I hope that you have been refreshed spiritually, physically, and relationally.

R - regaining
E - emotional
S - spiritual
T - tranquility

They Wanted A Miraculous Sign

Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?"  Jesus answered them, "destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."  John 2:18-19



Jesus had just cleared the temple of cattle, sheep, doves and money changing tables.  He had zeal to have His Fathers house be exclusive for worship and adoration of God.

Now we are told of the opposition to Jesus' actions.  The attitude towards Him and the demands the Jews have are disrespectful.  Through their actions and words it shows they had no revelation of who Jesus is.  Yet it is through our weakness that His strength is made so powerful.

• How do we talk to God?  
• When things happen to us that we are not used to, do we make demands of Him to explain Himself?  To expect Him to change them back to the way they were?  
• Do we require Him to prove Himself time after time?

If my children were to express themselves to me the way the Jews did to Jesus I'm more likely to remind them of their place as my child and to be more respectful of me as their father.  Jesus answers us today the same way He did then, with truth and a promise that is beyond belief.  He entertains their demands with sincere answers and patience.  He knew how exactly to handle them, Jesus is in perfect control.  There is no sense of panic or uncertainty in what He says.  Jesus has just begun His ministry and now He's beginning to unfold His plan of salvation.

What Jesus was talking about was His death and resurrection.  He is both heavenly and earthly minded in His response.  The temple He was speaking of was His body and raising it up is the greatest proof of His authority and our only hope of eternal life.  Yet because of unbelief and blindness to the things of the Spirit (which at that time the Holy Spirit had still not been sent), those that opposed Him could not understand what Jesus was talking about.

Do you understand why Jesus is allowing things to happen in your life?
Are there things being removed from your life that maybe you have become accustom to?
Will you respond by demanding He explain who He is and why He's removing things from from you?
 How will you respond to God today?

Read my next blog to see how this story of the temple clearing continues to unfold,
sincerely,
JesusandJeff