Out with the Old, in with the New
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Out with the Old, in with the New
BI: Jesus is the uncomfortable Messiah who brings in the new and only way to God.
1. Introduction.
Good morning everyone. welcome to Epping Presbyterian Church. well since children have come into my life, I’ve grown to love throwing things out. Out with the old, in with the new is my motto. I throw out the old never ending bits old arts and, crafts, worksheets, woolies bricks farm. I throw it out, just so that I can see new hard surfaces on the floor. There’s nothing more satisfying than a spring clean out. But my wife Joy likes to keep all things. She’s sentimental. This may or may not have caused an argument or 50 in our marriage so far. For me it’s Out the old in with the new. I like throwing out old worn out faded clothes and buying new Uniqlo patterned shirts. My wife Joy likes keep old clothes.Joy was folding some old clothes the other night and she saw very old my almost 20 year old country road t shirt – the stitching had been frayed, and she asks “should I keep this? I say, no please chuck it, but I shouldn’t have said the next line, but it is quite comfortable. It’s still sitting in my draw. She likes to keep the old. It’s comfortable. It’s durable. It’s sentimental. and really, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you like the old or the new.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus shows us that it really is out with the old, in with the new. And it really matters.
Way in
When Jesus came he came to make everything new. A new way to God. A new salvation and ultimately a new creation. It really was out with the old Jewish way, in with the new. The Messiah has arrived.
Last week, we got a taste of this didn’t we? Jesus brought the party. He turned water to wine. John showed us that in Jesus the new Messianic age has come.
But not everyone is excited about this. Some people are very invested in the old. They don’t like Jesus. in fact, his own people rejected him. This is not surprising. John tells us in chapter 1 verse 11.
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
This is what we see in our passage this morning. A clash between the Jews and Jesus. it’s a tension that escalates in this Gospel. Jesus shows us he is the zealous Messiah who brings in the new and only way to meet God. It’s out with the old corrupt worship and physical temple. In with the new temple – Jesus himself. And if last week he brought the party, this week he is bringing the pain so to speak.
Come to verse 13 with me.
2. Jesus clears out the old filth in the temple (2:13-17)
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Notice it’s the Passover. This is an important celebration. God has told his people to celebrate this key event every year. He wanted the Jews to remember and celebrate their exodus from Egypt, from slavery in Egypt. You can find this great rescuer in Exodus.
So Jesus goes from Capernaum to Jerusalem. He’s one of the pilgrims. He had to travel about 150km. Now remember every adult male Jew goes to the Jerusalem. It’s a bit like all these international people fly into Melbourne to watch the Aussie open every year. So Jesus goes to the temple. This is the heart of the city. It should be a great time of celebration but he doesn’t like what he sees. No no, let’s be honest he hates what he sees.
In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”
Why is Jesus angry? let me explain what’s going on. Jesus is at the temple. Here’s a model.
On the outside out here is the court of the Gentiles. it’s huge. like 12 football fields of space. This is the court of the women. Jewish women to worship God. There’s a court of the men, then you have the temple proper in the centre. It held the holy of holies and the altar. That’s the temple building.
Right here in the court of the gentiles this is where the action takes place. Here’s the problem. This area has been turned into a marketplace. People are selling oxen and sheep and pigeons.
Now, in a sense what’s the big deal? People trading animals makes sense. They needed animals to sacrifice. You are not really going to walk 150km with cattle in your luggage. It makes no sense. And also, the money exchangers that makes sense too. Under Jewish Law you need to pay tax when you go to the temple. It helps to pay for the priests and Levites who look after the temple. And they wouldn’t take Roman coins. Those coins worship the emperor, not God. So it had to be changed into shekels. Money exchange was needed. On one level, this is perfectly understandable.
So why is Jesus angry? There’s two reasons.
2.1 Reason 1: The Gentiles can’t worship God
The Gentiles can’t worship God. The court has been turned into a house of trade. Notice what Jesus says in verse 16
John 2:16 (ESV)
“Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”
The court of the Gentiles has turned into Victoria Market on the weekend. it’s hustling and bustling. There’s no way the Gentiles can pray let alone worship God. This is a huge problem. The temple is a place to worship God. More than that, the Jews are supposed to be a blessing to the Gentiles. They should be mindful. They should have kept this area empty. But they’ve turned it into a loud bustling marketplace. And worse, they are turning a profit. it’s corruption at the temple!
So a bit like Indiana Jones, he clears out the old filth in the temple. He puts together a makeshift whip made of various cords. He drives the sheep and oxen out of the temple court. He orders those with pigeons “take it away”. He overturns the money exchange booths. Money flying about, animals on the run. It’s a scene. Make no mistake, this isn’t Jesus meek and mild, this is Jesus angry and furious at the temple.
But it’s important to know, Jesus doesn’t fly off the handle like we can. His anger is a righteous anger. He is right to be angry. Why? Well second very important reason – this is my father’s house.
2.2 Reason 2: This is my father’s house
Again, verse 16
John 2:16 (ESV)
“Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”
This is my Fathers house! Jesus is God’s Son. God is his Father. We’ve learnt in John he is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. He knows what his Father thinks. So what’s happening here grieves his father. And it grieves him.
Friends, Jesus is angry because he is jealous for his Fathers honour. He says what needs to be said. he is not backward about it. He speaks the truth. he has zeal for his fathers glory. he is jealous for his Fathers honor. Now, we think about jealousy and we think that’s terrible. For example, when I compliment my daughter Chloe and say great painting, another one inevitably goes OHHHH what about me? The truth is, well you haven’t done great painting, you didn’t even paint! The 1 and half year old has learnt to make that sound as well. It’s hilarious. They are jealous because I didn’t compliment them. but they don’t deserve the compliment. Yet they are jealous. This jealousy is not good. It’s not right.
But here Jesus is jealous because he wants what his Father deserves. This is a right jealousy. The fact is; His people should worship him alone. Must worship him alone. Not using his temple to turn a profit. We come to God on his terms. He’s God. Exodus 20:5 the second of the 10 commandments we learn that God is a jealous God:
Exodus 20:5 (ESV)
You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God...
Make no mistake, Jesus is angry. He is jealous for his Father’s honor. It’s because he deserves this honor. He is God.
Notice friends, this whole scene triggers his disciples memory. Verse 17
His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
His disciples remember Psalm 69:9
For zeal for your house has consumed me,
and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
Now this Psalm was written by the great King David. He was God’s chosen King. He too was zealous for God’s name. He wanted God to be worshipped rightly so much so he is mocked for it. he was even rejected by his own family because he was wanted God to be honored. Here the disciples remember that old Psalm. They see that Jesus is the new Davidic King. The new chosen King. The Christ from David’s chosen line. How? Because like David, He was zealous for God’s house.
It really is a case of out with the old. No more corruption in God’s house. Jesus will not just let it slide. And it’s a case of in with the new. Jesus brings about righteous anger. he has come to judge corruption at the temple. He is jealous for God’s honor. He is zealous for the house of God.
That’s why he didn’t ignore it. he does not ignore corruption. He is a just God. He cleansed temple because it mattered to God.
See Jesus is a zealous God that’s what we see. zealous for God’s honor.
But the Jews do not get it. And what’s interesting is they don’t actually kick him out. They don’t form a mob to kill him. They don’t even take him to jail. At this point, they see him as some sort of prophet. Notice their response
3. Jesus brings in the new and only way to meet God (2:18-25)
So they say to Jesus show us a sign. Now we’re at point 3. Jesus brings in the new better way to meet God.
So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?”
What gives you this authority? Who do you think you are?
And yet another surprise, Jesus always directs where the conversation goes.
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
This is an incredible statement. Pay careful attention. You want a sign? Rip this down and I will rebuild it again.
The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?”
They think he is talking about the building. Jesus, it’s taken 46 years to build this building. You think you can raise it in 3 days? Now without going into the number of temples built destroyed rebuilt. This one took 46 years. That’s a long building project. we know how long it takes to build a house. it’s at least 5 months, not 3 days. this is a whole temple!
But actually it’s pretty clear to us isn’t it? Jesus is talking about something more - more profound. it’s not a physical building. Verse 21
But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
The temple is not the building in Jerusalem. It’s his own body.
Now, the big question in our minds is this.
How is his body the temple? How can it be his body? Now, let’s think back to the purpose and place of the temple. The temple was the house of God. it was the place where God graciously meet with his people. Not just the Jews but all people from all nations could draw near to God at the temple. That’s where God dwelt. And the temple was where people came to God. But they came unworthy. They came unwelcome because of their sin. Their came knowing they have rebelled against God. But they came knowing God provided a way. Their guilt was dealt with by the sacrifice for sins. They offered animal sacrifices. So they could draw near to God. The problem was; they kept sinning over and over again. The heart was never fixed by animal sacrifices.
Now how is Jesus’s body the temple? Well, Jesus is the place where God dwells. He was God become flesh. Remember he came to tabernacle or dwelt with us John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
You meet Jesus you meet God. and here’s the thing; by his death he paid the price for our rebellion. And by his resurrection he brought us into the very presence of God. we can actually draw near to God. with a clean heart because of Jesus. we do this by turning from sin and trusting in Jesus.
Incredibly, when Jesus rose again he left the building. God does not dwell in any temple any longer. And in fact, this temple was destroyed in 70AD by the Romans. Friends, the centre of our faith is not a place, it’s a person – Jesus Christ. It's not about going to a place to follow rules, offer sacrifices. now, far better, it’s a relationship with God himself, trusting in his death and resurrection. God has come near. He sent his Son Jesus. Jesus brings in the new and better way to meet God.
Out with old temple, in with the new temple – Jesus Christ. Jesus is a zealous God who brings in the new and only way to meet God.
4. Implications
The disciples didn’t understand it at the time. But after Jesus rose again, they finally understood Jesus’s words. Notice what they do.
When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
4.1 Believe in his word
They believed the Scripture and his words. This is my first implication. This is the kind of faith John wants us to have. We believe in his word.
A genuine faith trusts Jesus is the Son of God by believing in his word. believe what he says. he died and rose for your sins. And we know this, because he shows us the wrong response. Look at verse 23
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.
This sounds good but look at verse 24
But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
The Passover festival lasted 7 days. Jesus did more miracles. People saw and believed. But John tells us there’s something faulty about their belief. It’s not genuine faith. Jesus knows what’s in the heart of a person. If you are captured by the miracles, the buzz, the excitement and not God’s Word, you’re faith is not genuine.
Why? Because Jesus’ signs are wow amazing, but his words are hard. He calls out corruption. He calls out error. He says deny yourself and follow me. He says he is the only way truth and life. Make no mistake friends, many of his disciples in John 6 say Jesus speaks a hard word. Many disciples turn their back and no longer follow him. Their faith was fickle. Your faith will not last if you don’t believe his words. Community and friendships and fun is great, but you must believe in Jesus words in the scriptures. A genuine faith believes in the Words of Jesus in the words of the Scriptures.
So what sort of faith do you have? If you are here, you are looking for God. well he’s not found in doing good. he’s not found in going to church. he’s not found in a temple. he’s not found in taking Lord’s Supper. he’s not found in a place. he’s found in a person, Jesus Christ. Trust in Jesus. He is the better, the only way to God. He is the King. He has all authority. Come to believe in Him.
If you follow Jesus, is your faith genuine? How do you know? Continue to believe in him in his word. trust that he died for you. trust that rose to give you life. Now, like don’t get me wrong. following Jesus, it’s so good. it’s so good to know God’s great love. So good to know Jesus wants you to come weary and heavy laden and he will care for you like a shepherd cares for his sheep. lovingly, tenderly. you’re in his family. But friends he is our Lord. He wants us to obey him. obey his word. he is zealous for his fathers honor. So are you hot and cold? When his word says something hard to stomach, hard to accept do you trust him? Suffering is for your good. Deal with your sin, flee from sin. Put Christ first in how you spend your time talents treasures. A genuine faith trusts him and his word even when its hard to accept. Even when you feel uncomfortable. he doesn’t say comfortable things. maybe it’s time you repented. God is gracious, that’s why he sent his son for your sins. Believe in his Word.
Secondly,
4.2 Live for God’s name to be honored
Are you living for God’s name to be honored? We share God’s zeal for his name to be honored. He is zealous for his Father’s honor. Paul says
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
We don’t like the word zealous for God. sounds extreme. We’re not like those people. But if we follow Christ, what he wants, we want. We want to God’s name to be honored. we want him to be glorified in our lives. We desire to live for him. We desire to serve him. is that you?
For example, I had a mate who is dentist. Studied hard. Smart guy. You know what he did because he was lived for God’s name to be honored? He got a job to work 3 days so that he could serve at church. He’s biggest earnest potential is now. But he was more zealous about serving God. he was zealous for God. He was more zealous for serving God rather than make money. he used his most energetic years to serve the Lord.
Friends, we have so many ways to serve here at Epping. Jesus shows us he is the zealous Messiah who brings in the new and only way to meet God. Jesus is our master. He is our Lord. Out with old religion, in with Jesus the new temple who loved us and brings us into God’s very presence.
Let’s pray.