If I had been in the temple on the day of John 2:13-25 I would have been very afraid. Jesus doesn't just politely ask people to leave, he whips them out, he overturns tables. Considering the power of Jesus and the miracles he performed in his lifetime, could you imagine what he could do in anger!?! And this wasn't just a spur of the moment thing, it was pre-meditated - he took the time to make a whip out of cords to drive them out. This seems so far from the meek and mild Jesus of Christmas carols. What has got into Jesus?
We find out in verses 16 and 17 that it is passion for his Father's house.
Sometimes I forget just how Jewish Jesus is. We see him in confrontation with the Pharisees and think he is really against Jewish religion - but that couldn't be further from the truth. Jesus is zealous that the temple be kept pure. He is passionate for the glory of his Father, and absolutely disgusted at the disrespect and selfish misuse of the temple as a marketplace.
It is right to be passionate, it is right to be angry sometimes. Of course, we aren't Jesus and our anger quickly denigrates into sin, because our motives are so often selfish and our anger so often spills over into hatred or jealousy. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be passionate.
We live in an age where tolerance reigns and any fundamentalism is considered dangerous because where people have passion they might disagree and it might cause a fight. We Christians are passionate - we believe in something - and that will cause disagreements - but we are also people of love and persuasion, not of coercion. It is impossible to coerce somebody into being a Christian!
Of course our zeal isn't for the Jewish temple, as Jesus himself goes on to speak about the replacement temple of his body - his death and resurrection. The temple is no longer the place of access to God, of mediation between God and his people - Jesus is! And so, while our passion is modelled on Jesus passion for his Father's glory - the content of our passion is actually Jesus himself. A passion for his glory.
We see in verse 23 that some people began to believe in the name of Jesus - and Kate has just reminded me as we sit on the couch of the theme passage of John - in chapter 20:31 - 'these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name.'
Do you believe in his name? Are you passionate for his glory? Does it offend you when people use Jesus name in vain? Will you pull people up when they slander Jesus or the Christian faith?
What strikes you from today's readings? Any reflections on Psalm 119:33-64 are particularly welcome as I'll need to preach from it on Sunday :) Let me steal your insights!
yours in passion for his glory,
Ben
Tomorrows Readings: John 3, Psalm 119:65-96
I started reading a book yesterday called its not all about me by Max Lucardo, something that is really highlighted thus far is Glory "every act of heaven reveals gods glory, every act of Jesus did the same" he provides a good analogy of the moon how it does not produce light rather it reflects the sun and as Christians our job is the same to reflect the glory of god. So when I saw such passion in Jesus it was once again highlighting this point. Not about the moon as Jesus is the son and the sun but about every action being for god, the psalmist also shares a rich passion and enthusiasm, i read him crying not talking, begging in passionate tones not whispering but proclaiming. Such is his passion for god. To him be the glory amen.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep your words. It is amazing that I take God for my very own. Why would I covet the things of this world when he is my portion? More than just content, the Psalmist appears ecstatic with his treasure. This contentment in God and assurance in his grace is a great source of holiness. Is my thankfulness overflowing to such a point that I will rise at midnight to give thanks to him?
ReplyDeleteI started this bible reading plan this morning. Psalm 119 is over 15 minutes on my audio Bible (and American reading, so he is not exactly reading slowly!).
ReplyDeleteYeah, many thoughts but verses 40, 41 and 44 and stand out. His life can only be preserved in God's righteousness, he yearns for salvation etc. is 44 a now and not yet tension - what he is becoming and will be in eternity etc.
Yeah Steve, It is very clear that God is preserving and sustaining his life and his understanding and desire for God's Word. The 'He' section (vs 33-40) in particular is all about asking God to do his work of bringing knowledge, understanding, passion and will to live God's way.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of promise language in here too - I wonder what promises he has in mind?
Are we allowed to have favourite sections of scripture. Psa 119 has so much to think about. Steve mentioned his audio Bible.... does everyone know about the web site " Bible Gateway " you can do a search on the passage and choose audio for dramatic reading ,parallel versions plus extras. Bronwyn Silvester
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