SCRIPTURE: John 2:12-25
OBSERVATION:
Jesus reserves His harshest response for the religious leaders.
How does this picture of Jesus fit with ”Jesus meek and mild”? Does Jesus’ use of violence here justify our use of violence if the cause is just?
Jesus does not speak clearly (re. destroying the temple), as if He is intentionally provoking them.
Jesus understood what was in peoples’ hearts, therefore He did not fully reveal (entrust) Himself to them – the reason for His puzzling language.
APPLICATION:
How would the Lord respond to our religious activities? Would He find His greatest challenge in the church if He came back today?
I can understand Jesus’ violent response, and have at times wanted to turn the tables on religious people in church.
But I know my own heart, and the Lord has shown me again and again how mixed my motives are, my table-turning would not be healthy like Jesus’ was.
I need to be very careful when I criticize religious hypocrites, because in some ways I am one of them.
PRAYER:
Lord, forgive me when my religious activities sadden or anger You. Help me not to be quick to anger, for unlike You my opinions and motives are not always unselfish or accurate. Amen.
God’s house was not a house of prayer, but a market place, a place for economical gain. Christ here shows a righteous anger. Yet I am surprised that neither the disciples nor the rulers showed any great surprise at what Jesus did at the early stage of His ministry. Jesus also revealed that He was God’s Son since He refers to My Father’s house and also pretold His disciples what would happen to Him.
Am I ontrack with all my worship activities? Do I place God first in all things so that He is my All in All? Is the church His church or is it swayed by man’s choices – economics, livelihood, acceptance, the way of doing things, the comfortable pew. God knows our very hearts – our very existence – and I need to entrust myself totally to Him in all that I do. His testimony is true, not mine. Just as Christ shows His relationship to His Father, I too need to show my relationship to the Father in all I say and do. My hope is not in mankind, but in Christ Jesus, my Saviour.
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all