The Gospel of John, Day 16: ch. 2, vv. 18-25

18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 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.

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.[d] 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

The greatest sign of Jesus' authority is his resurrection. It is for this simple reason that many believed. Is there historical evidence for this miraculous event? I think so, and this is the greatest and simplest reason for hope. So much more than creation/evolution debates and other highly intellectual debates. Oh, and the other thing this hope comes with: Jesus' full authority in our lives.