Cleansing the Temple

Note: a friend recently asked me to comment on the Scripture: John 2:13-16. Below is my response:

In John 2:13-16, (at the very beginning of Jesus public ministry), His second recorded act (He previously turned water to wine at a wedding) was the cleansing of the Temple. Interestingly, one of His last acts of public ministry (Mark 11:15-17); after Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem- was going again to cleanse the Temple.

In John’s account, Jesus found the practice of selling sacrificial animals and money changers- those who make a profit exchanging money from the Roman empire into Jewish coinage, to buy sacrificial animals. Jesus said,” My Father's house is not to be a house of merchandise”

 (marketplace for the sale and profit for required Temple sacrifices)

In Mark 11, Jesus drove out those who still practiced buying and selling in the Temple. This time, He overturned the money changers tables and refused to permit any merchandizing in the Temple. He declared the Temple was a place of prayer for all nations [ they had continued buying the selling in the same place Jesus had previously cleansed!] Jesus called that environment, ’a virtual den of thieves’.

Personal Application:

1.     Once the Lord has made clearly known His will in an area of our lives- He expects we will keep that area clean of corruption and defilement.

2.      Once we are born again, we are the ‘Temple’ (dwelling place of the Lord). As such, our minds and bodies need to be strengthened as places of righteous thinking and action.

3.      Lastly, as ‘Temples’ , we are to be a people of prayer. Prayer changes things! Prayer is spiritual communication and our life- line for wisdom and direction. There are so many scriptures on prayer- but just one I’ll mention: “ Now this is the confidence was have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us, and if we know that Jesus hears us, whatever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” 1 Jn. 5:14-15

Let’s take a lesson from those unjust merchandizers- when we are corrected by the Hoy Spirit, Repent! Ask for forgiveness and cleaning. (1 Jn. 1:9) Then walk in His righteousness and you will    produce godly fruit!

         How would you describe 'The Bible'?

Many years ago, I wrote in the back of my Bible a 'statement of fact' about how important the Bible was to me and the authority it carried.  As I remember it- 

" The Bible is the final, literal, authoritative Word of God on all matters of faith and living"

Recently I came across a much better definition from Smith Wiglesworth. He wrote this in the back of his Bible. 

"Never compare this book with other books, comparisons are dangerous. Never think or say that this book contains the Word of God, it is the Word of God. It is supernatural in origin, eternal in duration, inexpressible in value, infinite in scope, regenerative in power, infallible in authority, universal in interest; personal in application, inspired in totality. Read it through, write in down, pray it in, work it out and pass it on- it is the Word of God!"

 

I think I'll change what I have in the back of my Bible.... 😉

thanks Smith, 

Gary

Ps.  Hebrews 4:12

KINGDOM (Vineyard) IDLENESS? ...

 

KINGDOM  (Vineyard) IDLENESS?…

Matthew 20 1-16 

Kingdom of Heaven like a householder that hires laborers into His vineyard

1.     Hired group to work full day (12 hours)  for set amount ( A full days wage)

2.     Vineyard owner at 9am saw men standing idle, “go work, & whatever is right I’ll pay you “

3.     Noon and 3pm he did the same with those he found standing Idle near the vineyard

4.     At  5:00pm there were still some standing around, “why haven’t you been working today?”

a.     THEIR RESPONSE: ( each group was basically the same)

b.     No one has hired us

c.      No one has led or directed us into Vineyard (Kingdom work)

d.     (Like sheep without a shepherd)

BYW who should have been ‘directing’ them for Kingdom (Vineyard) labor?

ANSWER:

e.     The Holy Spirit, BUT we also have an active part to play…

f.       Matt. 6:33 “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

g.     Matt. 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

h.     Back to the story: there are two common denominators within the groups (other than original group) They were:

1.     Vineyard Owner:  said he would pay each group ‘what is right’

2.     Each of the groups were standing Idle (didn’t know what to do)

-They were like sheep looking for a shepherd, someone to hire/direct them

Matt. 9:37-38 “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few, pray therefor the Lord of the harvest That He will send laborers into the harvest.”

5.     Vineyard Owner called each group to come receive payment; last employed came first (one-hour workers got paid a full days wage)

a.     Then called those who worked 3,6 and 9 hours; all were paid a full day’s wage

b.     Lastly, those who labored the whole day (12 hours) were paid  the same as all the other workers ( full days wage- that they previously agreed to)

c.      First group (12-hour workers) complained, “you have made them (other groups) equal to us!” (in pay)

d.     The Owner said, am I not free to distribute my money as I please? (extend grace & generosity)

e.     You were paid the agreed upon amount, be content with your wage and leave: “Is your eye evil, because I am good?”

SPIRTUAL ISSUE:  COMPARISON

1.     2 Cor. 10:12 “ For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves, But they measuring themselves by themselves are not wise.”

2.     Comparison [evaluating others in light of your situation} will lead to:

3.     Jealousy, envy, bitterness, resentment….

The last verse to this parable: v. 16 “so the last shall be first and the first last; for many are called, but few are chosen”

The ‘calling’ for all Christians is to work in God’s Kingdom-[His Vineyard is amplified in this story]. Even those who are recent believers have a place and calling to labor in the harvest - and receive a ‘ just reward’ for their labor.

Many called: Few are chosen because:

They complain about working ‘in the heat of the day’ or are standing Idle or confused about what their ‘commission and calling’ is from the Lord; or they   don’t trust God that He will  provide ‘what is right’ for their obedience and  commitment & labor.

THE KINGDOM IS HERE! JESUS IS RULING AND REIGNING RIGHT NOW, LOOKING FOR THOSE WILLING TO BE ‘HIRED’ IN HIS VINEYARD.  Be obedient, join a life-giving local church, and trust God!

Working in the vineyard,

Gary

Ps. Proverbs 4:23  “ Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. “ -NIV