John (the disciple, not the baptizer) records Jesus’ trip to Jerusalem during Passover. In the temple courts he found people selling all sorts of things. He made a whip and began driving people out. I’m sure he appeared as a mad man to the people there. After all, we’re not sure if anyone in Jerusalem knows who he is since his ministry up to this point has been based in Galilee.
Yet there are some in the crowd who must have heard something, because they ask him what sign he can show to prove he has authority to do what he’s doing.
His response: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19).
He’s at the temple, so that’s what they’re thinking about. He’s thinking about himself.
The people heard nothing but foolishness coming out of his mouth.
It’s the first of many instances where, if I’m Jesus’ campaign manager, I’m putting my hand up to my forehead and am just completely flabbergasted that he is wasting an opportunity like this. Why push people away when we’re just getting started!
During this visit Jesus must have performed some miracles, because those who saw it were drawn to him and trusted in him. Again, if I’m the campaign manager I’m starting to feel good about things once again.
“But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people” (John 2:24).
It might have seemed to those around him that these people were ready to follow him, but that wasn’t really the case, and he knew it. They wanted to follow a Messiah that they had fashioned according to their image, but that wasn’t the reality of who Jesus was and what he had come to do. And he knew it.