Zeal for the Temple

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Setting: Passover IN Jerusalem!

Following Christ requires the same zeal for God’s worship & righteousness as Christ had. (v.15-17)

desire for financial gain had taken precedence over the worship of God

Jesus = the true & final temple. Our worship is to be centered on Christ and who he is. (v.18-22)

are we keeping others from [the temple] because of any of our selfish desires?

Do you believe in Jesus or do you believe in Jesus?

Ultimately, the gospel is not about us establishing a relationship with Jesus; it is about Jesus establishing a relationship with us—not simply as a consequence of our believing information about him, but more by Jesus “entrusting” himself to us in his revelation of himself. Jesus never did “signs” to impress anyone but to reveal himself as the Messiah and to redeem those he came to save as they recognized who he was and received what he was doing for them.

We know God only because we are known by God (Gal. 4:9). Until God reveals his Son to us and in us (Gal. 1:15–16), we remain spiritually dead (Eph. 2:5). Salvation, from beginning to end, is all of grace. This becomes clear as John now records for us the coming-to-faith experiences of a wide range of people.

Galatians 4:9

9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

Galatians 1:15–16

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;

Ephesians 2:5

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Synopsis:

Jews abused the temple and prevented the Gentiles’ worship of God because of selfish gain and Jesus corrected them with zeal and authority

Charge:

Don’t abuse “the temple” and be what prevents others from worshipping God. Instead, have the zeal of Christ for righteousness