Infuriated at the buying and selling happening in the place of worship, Jesus overturned the tables.  I’m sure the salesmen thought that they were offering a service, as the animals were used for sacrifice and the sojourners needed local money. 

But it was the place of worship.  And Jesus was incensed. 

So they asked him, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” (2:18).

Jesus replied, “Destroy the temple and I will raise it again in three days” (2:19).

I’ve read this before and in the past, I thought he was talking to the Jews that were opposing him.  But I see now it was much more than that.  He was actually talking also to the disciples.  Thankfully they remembered this. 

“After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said.  Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken” (2:22).

Jesus was telling them and us that his resurrection was the place of authority.  In fact Paul says it this way, “if Christ has not be raised, your faith is futile” (1 Cor 15:17). 

It’s the resurrection that gives Christ the authority.  All other religions have their leader decaying in a grave.  Jesus is the only whose body is not there. 

It’s the core issue that led Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell, CS Lewis and others to turn from the atheism and embrace Christ.  And rightfully so.

When we have doubts about God’s love, when we are talking with unbelievers, when we are struggling with anything–it all comes down to Jesus died, was buried and was raised to life.

The resurrection is the key to it all.