Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
John 2:19, NIV
The tree lobster (Dryococelus australis or the Lord Howe Island stick insect) is an interesting insect. According to the Wikipedia, in 1920, the tree lobster was thought to be extinct. However, it was rediscovered in 2001. Although the tree lobster no longer lives on Lord Howe Island, its main habitat, it is still found on the small rock island of Ball’s Pyramid. With less than 30 living in the wild on Ball’s Pyramid, it has been called “the rarest insect in the world.”
What does the tree lobster have to do with us?
Sometimes there are situations in our lives that seem to be dead, like all hope is gone for a positive outcome. Sometimes we are stuck in places where even living waters seem to run dry. Sometimes all of our possibilities seem to be extinct. However, like with the tree lobster, things only seem that way. Things only seem impossible. In those times, we must believe in the possibility of the impossible.
In John 2:19, “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
When Jesus spoke these words, his audience thought he was talking about the temple, but Jesus was talking about his body. Either way, both things were considered miracles. Raising up a temple and raising up a human were both considered impossible. Yet, Jesus knew that with God anything was possible.
Now, back to our tree lobster. The tree lobster was counted out by humans. It was thought to be extinct; however, it is still alive. In recent years, scientists have been working to repopulate the earth with more tree lobsters. They are giving this insect a second chance.
God does the same thing with us. God is the God of second chances. All we need is a bit of faith – a mustard seed size. God can create possibility out of our impossibility.
Is there something in your life that seems impossible, improbable, or extinct? What do you think God would say about it?