Monday: Jesus in the Temple
From the earliest days of fallen humanity, animal sacrifices were God’s chosen means to teach the world the plan of salvation, salvation by grace through faith in the coming Messiah (see Rom. 4:13-16). A powerful example of this truth can be found in Genesis 4, the story of Cain and Abel and the tragedy that ensued over worship, among other things (see also Rev. 14:7-12).
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
Thus, when God called Israel as His chosen people, “‘a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’” (Exod. 19:6, NKJV), He also established the sanctuary service as a fuller and more complete explanation of salvation. From the tabernacle in the wilderness, through Solomon’s temple, and through the temple built after the return from Babylon, the gospel was revealed in the symbols and types of the sanctuary service.
However, despite its divine origins, the temple and its rituals were conducted by fallen human beings and, as with pretty much everything people get involved in, corruption ensued, even here with the sacred service that God had instituted to reveal His love and grace to a fallen world. By the time of Jesus, things had become so terribly perverted by the greed and avarice of the priests (the very ones who were entrusted with administering the services!) that “in the eyes of the people the sacredness of the sacrificial service had been in a great measure destroyed.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 590.
Read Matthew 21:12-17. What lessons are here for us, as worshipers of God?
As in so many other places, Jesus quoted Scripture to justify His actions, more evidence that as followers of the Lord we must make the Bible central to our whole worldview and moral system. Besides His quoting Scripture, there were the miraculous healings of the blind and the lame. All this gave even more powerful and convincing evidence of His divine nature and calling. How tragic that those who should have been the most sensitive and open to all this evidence were the ones who fought the hardest against Him. Fearing for their own earthly treasure and status as the “stewards” and “guardians” of the temple, many would lose out on the very thing that the temple service was pointing to: salvation in Jesus.
| How can we make sure that we are not letting our desire to gain or maintain anything here, even something good, jeopardize what really matters: eternal life in Jesus? |
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What really matters most of all is that we are motivated continually by the Holy Spirit of Christ. Eternity would be bad news for us if we were motivated by any of our own selfishness rather than the Spirit of God.
Emotions. This is a time that we in USA celebrate Memorial day and the emotions that are displayed. That started me to think about emotions. The emotions of Jesus. This weeks lesson includes the events of His triumphal entry. What was the scene of the crowd and the Passover season? When we see the results of a sporting event, the medals and crowns, Emotion is overflowing. many times with tears of joy, for the winner. Jesus was overcome with tears.Luke 19:41. This should have been the type of emotions that the shouting crowd would appreciate. However Of the emotions that Jesus felt, there were only a few that are recorded, the most bitter being in the garden with the Father pleading. For some that might think of Jesus as somewhat emotionless, that just isn't true. Reaction is not always emotion. We can thank Jesus He has all the emotions that we feel because He feels the same type.
When Christ got into the temple He was filled with divine indignation as He saw the temple turned into a market place and thus desecrating it. He witnessed first-hand the evil excesses, avarice and extortion of the priests and temple officers in defiant display. He quoted Jeremiah 7: 11. At the time Palestine had been infested with bands of robbers and bandits. As it happened then, I wonder if He were to enter our places of worship on Sabbath what evil practices would He find and want to cleanse? This is a very worrisome consideration. What would He find that which is suitable to a den of thieves rather than to a house of prayer?
It is not difficult to find the error of our ways. There are a sufficient number of those that will keep us informed in detail. David made it known in Psalms 14:1-3 long before any of these pages hit the press. By the way David was instrumental in the temple of God being built, from the beginning.
David was concerned that God didn't have a proper place for His dwelling and wanted to erect a place
that was suitable. Solomon completed the task, but David was a man after Gods own heart. Was David perfect? No, much like us there is none good. It won't take a lot of digging.
The sacrificial system was installed by God, to teach us and bring us to a better understanding on the story of our salvation. It was meant to be as solemn as anything but somewhere, some how, the Jews lost the plot, and lost the meaning, and its solemnity. The temple built fr the glory of God became a place of business and self-centered businesses.The very ground that was meant to be holy was not regarded as such.
Reminds me pretty much of present day churches. Music groups and singers charge a certain amount to go and sing at a particular church, they sell and promote their CDs during the Sabbath, believers sit and discuss work related issues while services go on inside, less and less people attend the early morning Sabbath school program (Showing up at 11:00hrs), potlucks with tones of unhealthy food extending the lunch hour more than it should be and many other behaviours. Can we honestly say we are no different from the Jews that Jesus chased from the temple? Are we in any way ready to receive the Messiah when He comes the second time? Food for thought
Only by prayers and supplications and abiding in him the Jesus can keep us from falling.
Esther
Prayers and supplications are important Esther, but we should not discount the importance of making wise decisions and acting on them. All too often I have seen people praying about problems and issues in their lives, when God has given them good brains to work out what to do.
I recall a fourth year ministerial student who was praying that the Lord would show him whether he had been called to be a minister or not. If by your forth year of study you still have not worked out whether you should be a minister, there is something wrong with your decision making process, not the message you are getting from the Holy Spirit.
Also people often pray for delivery from temptation but fail to make the basic step of removing the source of temptation from their lives. Prayer without action is like having the electricity delivered to your house but refusing to use the switch!
I thank God that truth always prevails even amidst inconsistencies in its bearers. Today , truth must be preached, whether they heed it or not. For salvation has been brought nigh. Stand boldly O ye who preach. Fixing your eyes on Christ.I am convinced even our forefathers as they lay sins on lambs on that alter they had to look beyond in faith,to the lamb of God. An instruction set in time past even today still stands. This whole thing is all about Jesus and anything short of that is crazy.
When Jesus returns in glory, the unsaved will cry out to the mountains and rocks to fall on them, to cover them from His face. In that day they would rather die than face Him.
I suggest that when Jesus stood in the Temple courtyard, a flash of that SAME Divine glory came from His face, and the people fled. Many Temple guards were on duty that day, and many able-bodied men were present, and yet THEY ALL RAN from that one unarmed Man.
I do not believe that Jesus literally took hold of the tables etc. and turned them over (this is what man's anger would do), but when the glory flashed from Jesus' face, the people fled in a panic. Yes, Jesus "did it" -- He turned over the tables etc.-- but not in the way that we imagine. The reaction was "hide me from the face of Him whose Presence condemns us!". In their haste, and in the press of the crowd, the men turned their own tables over, and it was only by the grace of God, I believe, that no-one died in the stampede.
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From Desire of Ages :
Thank you Stewart well said !
Using as few words as possible (succinct/pithy),I would be interested in reading how the sanctuary service represented the gospel/plan of salvation.
Stewart,
"I do not believe that Jesus literally took hold of the tables etc. and turned them over (this is what man's anger would do), but when the glory flashed from Jesus' face, the people fled in a panic. Yes, Jesus "did it" -- He turned over the tables etc.-- but not in the way that we imagine. The reaction was "hide me from the face of Him whose Presence condemns us!". In their haste, and in the press of the crowd, the men turned their own tables over,"???
I would suggest that you refer to DA 158 and/or type "money-changers" in EG White writings search engine.
I would also recommend that you be careful about presenting a Jesus personality/character makeover. Many churchgoers do that and end up in idolatry worshipping anti-Christs.
DA 158..."With a zeal and severity He has never before manifested.."
Jim Bob. Unfortunately, this is what happens when we replace the Bible with other sources of "truth." It's what happened in ancient Israel and it's what is happening all over the world now. Mrs. White herself counseled against this but largely in vain.
But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines, and the basis of all reforms. . . . Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain "Thus saith the Lord" in its support. (The Great Controversy, p. 595).
“Let all prove their positions from the Scriptures and substantiate every point they claim as truth from the revealed Word of God” Evangelism, p. 256.
Hi Stewart
"I do not believe that Jesus literally took hold of the tables etc. and turned them over (this is what man's anger would do), but when the glory flashed from Jesus' face, the people fled in a panic. Yes, Jesus "did it" -- He turned over the tables etc.-- but not in the way that we imagine. The reaction was "hide me from the face of Him whose Presence condemns us!". In their haste, and in the press of the crowd, the men turned their own tables over,"
Your interpretation is an interesting one but how do you explain the detail in John 2:15, 16 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
Why would JESUS make a whip...and why would He tell the dove sellers to move their merchandise?, Yes His flashing glory did cause them to flee, (it was also sufficient to destroy them there and then in the temple grounds), but l get the sense that in addition JESUS actively drove them away and commanded them to move.
If my heart is regarded as a temple of the Lord, what evil thoughts do I harbor? Maybe I wish my spouse dead so that I can get that pension money. Maybe I wish my boss dead so that I can rise up the promotion ladder at work. Maybe I wish my brothers child fail her exams so that my kids are better than his.
Only through prayer we can be forgiven
I tend to agree with Jim Bob. It's called His "strange act". And to add to the other Commentators- Many a times the Spirit of God is not in our temples. That is our bodies and our edifices. I know God is into saving and restoration; however as our sinful eyes weighs in on our services, it's evident that we are no different from the Priests and the Money Changers. We are far from what God desires us to be. I was brought up old school to reverence God's sanctuary...now people (who should know better) comes dress any and anyhow. Late for church but early for work. Children are allowed to run mad & eat in church... So many meetings conducted on Sabbaths, little or no bible class and less reading of Spirit of Prophecy. As for our body temple we tend to focus so much on the eating aspect while other 7 laws of health gets left behind... The topic left me examining myself what would God cast out or overturned out of me? Am I only saying pray or am I sincerely engaged in talking to God and not going thru the motions? What sacrifice am I making? Is the Spirit of God in my temple?
In todays entertainment era, it is quite honorable (and exciting) for a man to enter into a rage, and to overturn tables etc. at which other men are sitting. Physical violence is not only justified - men often find a certain delight in it.
But I believe that God is "holy, harmless, and undefiled" (Heb 7:26 KJV) - always has been, and always will be. Those that look for Jesus to vindicate the name of God by physical force - those that look for the Lion of the tribe of Judah, will be surprised to find a harmless Lamb (Rev 5:5-6)... and when some anticipated violence does come, it comes in a way that seems "strange" to their their way of thinking. "How is it that God said that HE was the One to destroy those people, when they have clearly destroyed themselves?"
An example of this is found in the death of King Saul. In one place it says - "therefore He [the Lord God] slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse." (1Chron 10:14). But previous to this we have the description of Saul's own suicide - "...so Saul took a sword, and fell upon it." (1Chron 10:4) Both are accurate, inspired, statements; yet to equate God's way of doing something, with man's way, is an all too common mistake.
Those that see Jesus taking part in an act of physical violence, should understand that He is their example, and that they are duty-bound to do similar things when faced with similar circumstances. (Yes, let's not imagine that similar circumstances do not arise in our churches today. But where are those that are willing to emulate Jesus' example?!) The prospect of THEIR ransacking a house of worship must be seen as quite realistic and acceptable... because if that is what Jesus effectively did, then they should be prepared to do the same kind of thing. Perhaps there are too few today that would have the courage to follow in Jesus' footsteps... if indeed that is how Jesus conducted Himself in the Temple courtyard.]
But Love does not "behave itself unseemly" (1Cor 13:5 KJV) - not even in the most provocative of circumstances. And love "worketh no ill to His neighbor" (Rom 13:10). It might be tempting to think that Jesus would not [could not] regard the money-changers in the Temple courtyard as His 'neighbors', and that if any of them had fallen, seriously injured in the rush, beside the courtyard gates, that He would simply walk past them. Jesus works "no ill" toward His neighbor.