March 6, 2021

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking about the temple of His body. –John 2:19-21

Jesus speaks these words in this Sunday’s gospel shortly after He drives the money changers and the animals out of the temple area. Jesus was filled with righteous indignation—the temple was becoming more of a marketplace than a house of worship for God.

His words hint once again at being raised up in three days. Remember that at the end of the gospel last week Jesus tells Peter, James, and John to keep quiet about the transfiguration they had witnessed until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead (Mark 9:9). Jesus was dropping clues for His followers about what is coming for Him and for them.

What clues is Jesus giving us this Lent? In other words, how is Jesus speaking to us today? What changes is he asking us to make? What habit or sin needs to be driven out of our hearts so they can be filled instead with the love and peace of Jesus?

May our hearts become temples of the Holy Spirit, filled to the brim with the very love of God, that we may give God praise all the days of our lives.

Jesus, I trust in you.




©Mary V. Pribbenow