Every once in a while a person makes a prediction that comes true. When this happens, the moment becomes an event that is never forgotten.
After brashly guaranteeing a New York Jets victory over the Baltimore Colts, prior to Super Bowl III, Jets quarterback Joe Namath completed 17 out of 28 passes for 206 yards, and was named the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player. The victory is considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
Babe Ruth's called shot was the home run hit by Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, held on October 1, 1932 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. During the at-bat, Ruth made a pointing gesture, which existing film confirms, but the exact nature of his gesture is ambiguous. Although neither fully confirmed nor refuted, the story goes that Ruth pointed to the center field bleachers during the at-bat. It was supposedly a declaration that he would hit a home run to this part of the park. On the next pitch, Ruth hit a home run to center field. This event is one of the most historic and talked about moments in baseball history.
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went to the temple courts in Jerusalem and found the people focused on the wrong priorities. Instead of preparing to celebrate the Passover and remember how God delivered His people out of slavery from Egypt, the people were selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others were sitting at tables exchanging money. John 2:15-22 tells the rest of the story.
It says: “15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
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."
When questioned by the Jews, Jesus predicted that His resurrection would be the sign that would prove His authority once and for all. Of all the predictions and prophecies throughout history, no one ever dared to declare they would rise from the grave. If Jesus conquered death, He would prove forever that He is the Messiah, and the Son of God.
And, that is exactly what Jesus did. Three days after dying on the cross for the sins of the world, He rose from the grave. No more questions about His authority!
Now, every Easter, over 2 billion people remember and celebrate this most historic prediction!
