The King and His Temple

If Jesus is the Messiah, is risen from the dead, then He has authority over proper worship!

Jesus’s action was about proclaiming a new relationship with God.

Jesus’ actions were about purifying a culture of the temple. Where do we need purification in our worship practices?

Looks can be deceiving!

There is a saying in our world, “don’t judge a book by its’ cover”; meaning the outside of a book is not always honest on what the pages of the story may contain.

Temple

During the time

Jesus is THE Prophet!

This is part of the role he is playing in Matthew 21.

Prophets proclaim.

They speak the words of God to a current culture.

Prophets act strange.

Part of their job is to live out the message they are proclaiming. Thus at times they do things which seem to not make sense.

Prophets are strategic.

They do not just do something on a whim or suddenly for the most part. It is a strategic point they are trying to make. It is helpful for us in the cleansing of temple to see Jesus did not get mad suddenly. This wasn’t the first time

Jesus cares about injustice.

He was taking a stand for the outcast and exploited. How can we take up this mantle again in 2019. In fact, the younger generation is sometimes better equipped and more willing to fight injustice than other generations.

Jesus cleansed religion.

What part of our religion and worship needs to be cleansed again?

Jesus brought new relationships.

He fulfilled what the prophets said concerning proper worship: mercy not just sacrifice. He became a light unto the Gentiles, as promised by the Prophets.

Church or Jesus?

Are we pointing people to church or to Jesus? It is simpler and to some extent easier to be about “church”. After all, we can feel, see, go to, and experience church. Church is clean and clear cut. Jesus is on the other hand messy at times.

Look good or have life?

We can look great on the outside but never experience life and life as Jesus meant for it. Remember looks can be deceiving.

Next Steps:

Speak up for injustice.

Commit to Christ.

Remember to pray.

Be open to others.

Other Important Passages

Ezekiel 40-48 is important to understand.

Isaiah 56:7 NIV

these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

Zechariah 6:12–13 NIV

Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’

Malachi 3:1–4 NIV

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.

Zechariah 14:21 NIV

Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord Almighty.