The Authority of Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Last week, we saw that Jesus was Lord over the natural world. In an amazing display of power he took six pots filled with water and turned them into wine, but not just any wine the best wine.
Last week, Jesus said His time had not yet come. But in our passage today, Jesus is going to demonstrate His authority over worship!
If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to John chapter 2 and we’ll begin reading with verse 13.
Jesus in Jerusalem
Jesus in Jerusalem
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
There is a time marker here—it is almost time for the Jewish Passover.
Now for the event marker—Jesus went up to Jerusalem (up is topographical).
The custom of most Jews in that day was to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Jesus followed that custom.
What Jesus Found
What Jesus Found
In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
Jesus gets to the temple courts—most likely the outer court of the Gentiles. This was supposed to be the place where Gentiles could worship God.
Instead, of Gentiles worshiping God, Jesus found people selling all kinds of sacrificial animals: cattle, sheep, and doves; and people sitting at tables to exchange all kinds of money for “Temple Money”
Jesus had several problems with the situation found in the temple:
The commerce in the “court of the Gentiles” kept the Gentiles from worshipping God.
The commerce, while convenient, had become big business for the religious leaders. By nature they were “cheating” the people.
God was not being honored!
Jesus’ Response
Jesus’ Response
So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
Jesus made a “whip out of cords.” The Greek word translated “cords” is often used of the ropes of a ship (v. 15a).
Jesus took the small and made them into a small whip (v. 15b).
Jesus used this whip to drive out everyone and everything in the Court of the Gentiles. Notice the word ALL indicates that He drove out more than just the animals (v. 15c).
Jesus also scattered the coins of those who were exchanging money (v. 15d).
And He overturned the tables (v. 15e).
To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
It is interesting that Jesus did not upend the cages of the doves. Instead, he told those selling doves, to “Get these out of here!” (v. 16a).
He continued by saying, “Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” (v. 16b).
The Disciples Response
The Disciples Response
His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
The disciples remembered Psalms 69:9 and quote part of it here:
—Zeal for God’s house will consume me.
John’s use of Psalm 69:9 makes it a prophetic passage about the Messiah.
The Jews Response
The Jews Response
The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
What sign can you show to prove your authority to do cleanse the temple?
Jesus’ Answer
Jesus’ Answer
John 2:19 (NIV)
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
I will destroy this temple (v. 19a)
And I will raise it again in three days (v. 19b)
The Jew’s Disbelief
The Jew’s Disbelief
They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?”
There’s no way, Jesus could destroy the temple (the actual worship place) and build it back in three days (v. 20a).
After all, it took them 46 years to build the temple (the actual place of worship) (v. 20b).
The temple of which Jesus Spoke
The temple of which Jesus Spoke
But the temple he had spoken of was his body.
The temple that Jesus spoke of was his body (v. 21).
After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
It wasn’t until after he raised from the dead that the disciples recalled what he said (v. 22a).
The disciples believed the scripture (v. 22b).
And the disciples believed the words of Jesus (v. 22c).
The Rest of Jesus’ Visit to Jerusalem
The Rest of Jesus’ Visit to Jerusalem
Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.
While Jesus was in Jerusalem He preformed many other signs (miracles) (v. 23a).
And many people believed in His name (v. 23b).
But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.
But Jesus knew that they only believed in Him because of the miracles--they were wanting to see more--but they were fickle (v. 24a).
John says he knew all people--He knew that their belief in Him was not going to last (v. 24b).
He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
Jesus didn’t need their testimony to prove who He really was/is (v. 25a).
Jesus knew what was really inside each person.
Jesus had both physical insight into people, but He also had divine insight into people. In the next two chapters, we are going to see both his physical insight into people and His divine insight.
So What?
So What?
Over the past two weeks we have seen that Jesus is the Lord, Master, Ruler over the physical realm. That means Jesus is the Master over all of my physical ailments, and nothing happens to me physically that catches Him off guard.
Then today John helps us understand that Jesus is Master over our worship. We must worship as Jesus commands. We must worship in ways that pleases Him.
Today, we need to direct our worship in three areas:
Our worship must give glory, honor, and praise to God!
Our worship must point people to Jesus! It should not cause people to see me, or my actions, but it should cause them to see Jesus!
Our worship must be ALL about God!
So let me ask you a question this morning.
How is your worship?
