This Man says the craziest things, doesn’t He? The people remembered this claim, for sure. And they were not shy to bring it up again when it looked like the most ridiculous statement. He has been beaten beyond human recognition and nailed to a tree and they are mocking Him a little more. He knew He would be raised up on the third day, but He is so patient and meek that He didn’t need to defend Himself. Most of us, in our impatient insecurity would have been saying things like, “Just you wait, I’ll see you in three days and you will be sorry then. Oh, you are gonna get it and I’m making a special stop off at your place just to prove to you that I am who I say I am.” Not Jesus.
No, Jesus let His wisdom justify His words and actions by the results that came as a result of His character. He didn’t need to tell everyone what was going to happen, He likes surprises. He is actually a fairly dramatic Guy. Read the story of Manoah’s visitation before his wife bore Samson, Jesus leaves the scene with no lack of flare. We see Him just stand in a fire and float up a column of smoke like an elevator (Judges 13 in case you don’t believe me). You can’t tell me that He doesn’t like to mess with our heads. He likes to do things the worst way possible, in our way of thinking, but He accomplishes so much when He does it His way – proof that His ways are truly higher.
Do you remember when He said He could rebuild the Temple? In John 2 He says this as a sign of His authority to cleanse the Temple. He was cleansing the Temple of Jerusalem, but the Temple He would rebuild would be the Temple of His Body. His authority in the earthly Temple stems from the power of resurrection. They certainly had no idea what He was talking about at the time, but He did. Think about it. If you knew you could die and not stay dead, you would do whatever you wanted. No one could stop you. They could only limit you a little, but imagine if you could create an army like that.
If there were an army that were not afraid of death because to die would be gain for them, no government or social system could hold them back from accomplishing their goals. If there were a group of people who were living for another age of history, they would not get caught up in the monochromatic pleasures of a vain society. If there were young adults that realized that they were not living for themselves, but for the toddlers below them, they would not be consumed with looking good and accomplishing great things unless those great things paved the way for the next generation. Here we stand.
Friends, this is us. Jesus said it would be better for Him to go away so that the Spirit would come. Why? Because if the Spirit comes, so does the army. What good is the Captain of Hosts without a host of Saints to lead in the conquest of the globe? A brilliant friend of mine once said that he lives his life, day-in and day-out for the next generation to complete what our generation could not. And I believe him because for over half a decade he has spent most of his time praying for revival in the youth of the world. His job is to pray and, as he said, he is pointing his life at the youth generation.
I have been in prayer meetings in which I became afraid for those on the other side of those prayers. I knew that no one could withstand these people’s prayers. They loved people they have never met more than you would think is possible. They loved much because they knew that He loves much and that He is able to do abundantly beyond all they could ask or think. He can because He did the impossible, He raised Himself up.
*Jesus, You can do it, I know You can. Raise up the selfless army that will die for You.*
