Understanding Scripture in Crisis

¹⁷ Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.” ¹⁸ But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.”¹⁹ “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”²⁰ “What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” ²¹ But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. ²² After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.

In John 2:12-22, Jesus and His disciples have entered the temple area during Passover and found profiteers selling animals for their sacrifices. He made a whip and drove out the animals and rebuked those who were selling in the temple court and making a profit. They were angered and asked for a sign if He was so high and mighty, so He responds with verses 19-21. about destroying and rebuilding the temple in three days. The people didn’t understand for sure, but neither did His disciples at that time. It wasn’t until they remembered His words after his resurrection that they fully understood and believed his body was the temple and He was truly the Messiah.

I realized how often in my journey with Jesus that I have read Scripture and missed the point until something happened that would bring a scripture to mind. I remember well the day when we heard screeching tires in front of our parsonage. I held my breath as we ran out the front door to find our 10 year old daughter, Amy Jill, lying in the street. She made it to the hospital but there was no hope in keeping her alive. When we returned home to plan her funeral, I remember lying prostrate, pounding the floor with my fists and crying out to God, “Why?” What had we done wrong that He would take her from us? Were we not good parents? Why did I give her permission to cross the street? The enemy poured on the guilt and I was mad at God for not protecting her.

As I lay there screaming at God, I heard a voice in my spirit say, “Oh, child, I didn’t cause this; I am crying with you. I gave up my child too and I understand your anger and your tears.” It was then I fully understood John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son ….. to live in this sinful world and die an excruciating death so we could see Amy again in heaven. I also remembered the Scripture from Matthew 5:4 that says those who mourn shall be comforted. It didn’t take away my pain, but knowing I wasn’t alone and that God was crying with me and understood my grief gave me courage to allow God to hold me, cry with me and comfort me one minute, one hour and one day at a time. Amy died on October 10, 1989. I know she is singing and dancing and keeping the angels busy in heaven!

What about you? Have you ever read scripture and not fully understood what was being said until you had an experience that set God’s words ablaze in your spirit and you understood clearly what He was trying to communicate.. The problem is, that it can’t happen unless you and I are in the Word regularly, and hiding it in our hearts so the Holy Spirit can bring it to mind at just the right moment. No, you don’t have to grab your Bible and try to read it all in one day so you won’t miss His voice when the unthinkable happens. He is Sovereign and knows what you will need and when. Just spend time in the Word daily and rest in Him. He knows, He cares and He will speak to Your deepest needs and hurts.

Father, I would not be here today without Your comfort, compassion and mercy. I continue to be amazed that You hold me in the palm of Your hand, understand my humanity and see my heart. You dry my tears, heal my hurts and in the darkest night You give me hope and remind me of the future that awaits me when I see You face to face and get to give my Amy an eternal hug! I love You, Jesus. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!