Sermons

Pastor Lorraine's Sermon for October 26, 2003

Zeal for God's House
John 2:13-25

This story isn't in the other 3 accounts of Jesus' life: They tell a different story-one that occurred at the end of Jesus' life; It was just before his crucifixion; Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell that story
John was aware of that story and knew that it was widely known: But he remembered a precursor-a time before that; It was Jesus' first intentional public act; Interesting that his ministry is book ended by; a literal fight for prayer and the poor
Jesus headed into Jerusalem for the Passover: We don't know how often Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover; He went when he was 12; But probably he had been there other times as well; Passover was a big deal-celebrated when the Angel of Death passed over; the Israelites with blood of the lamb on their doors; Prompted their expulsion from Egypt; Pilgrims came from all over to celebrate the Passover in the temple in Jerusalem; So the place was full of people; Not unlike our picture of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem; People needing a place to sleep and food
It was a profitable time for everyone-shopkeepers were busy: Many of these people came from a great distance; They couldn't bring with them the animals for sacrifice; So they purchased them there; Reasonable allowance was made for their convenience; They also needed temple sheckles in order to pay their dues; They couldn't use Roman money with Cesar on it; So they exchanged it for that which was useful; This was a great opportunity for business; Provide you with your kosher sacrificial animal right here…; Change your money here…; It was quite profitable due to their ready-made audience; But at Passover it was even more profitable with all the people in town; And the business people have taken full advantage of the opportunity; It was a zoo; With the captive audience-people would pay high prices; The priests were in on it-they probably got a kickback; It was particularly hard on the poor
Jesus walks into the temple area and is hit with the onslaught of noise and smells: Shouting, bargaining, cattle, sheep and doves; It's out of control; Jesus is indignant and sends them all away; But a "GO-LEAVE-GET OUT OF HERE"; wouldn't make a dent in the noise; I think he picked up the whip to use on the animals-not the people; Whips can be abused; Intention to control and direct animals not hurt; Jesus sent the animals out with a well-placed crack of the whip; It caused a stampede; That would take care of it-end the business; Not only was the place destroyed-they lost their animals; Coins spilled; It was a real free-for-all; Jesus specifically tells the dove merchants to leave; They were the gougers of the poor; Law made provision for the poor; Couldn't afford lamb or cattle sacrifice; Pigeon dove could be used-as Mary and Joseph; Price was 15 times normal; Jesus indignant that poor are cut off from sacrificing to God
The disciples remember Psalm 69-"Zeal for your house consumes me.": From the crucifixion Psalm; In Psalm 69:21 also speaks prophetically of Jesus offered vinegar
After the ruckus is over the merchants try to gather what's left together: Look for their things, muttering at Jesus; The Jews ask for an explanation-they didn't condemn him for his actions; They know things were out of hand-that they had pushed the limits; But they didn't like being called on it; Nor loosing their income; Pharisees would have been glad; Sadducees were the ones who had the temple market; So their question is one of authority; "What credentials can you present to justify this?"; Jesus doesn't answer them directly; "Tear down this Temple and in three days I'll put it back together."
It is difficult to underestimate the attachment the Jews have to the temple: The called it ha makom "the Place"; The Place where they met with God,; offered sacrifices for sins; where their entire culture was secured; When the temple was later destroyed-with no stone left unturned; the nature of Judaism radically changed
As so often happens in religion-what was initially intended to be: a place of reverence for God; degenerated into a love affair with a building; Jesus' scandalous words would stay lodged in their minds for years; "Tear down this Temple and in three days I'll put it back together."; 2 years later those words would be the basis of their charge against him
The Jews totally miss it: Not just a mere failure to grasp his intention; They completely misinterpret it; "It took 46 years to build this Temple;; and you're going to rebuild it in 3 days?"
But Jesus' was talking about something else-his own body: The disciples remember later and knew then what he was talking about
Many saw Jesus and trusted him-they followed: They believed because of the miracles-; their lives were not yet changed; But Jesus knew that many would fall away; So while he welcomed them all, he didn't entrust his life to all
I want us to think a bit about what this says to us…: First, I want to mention one that isn't the primary purpose; We're to make accommodations for the poor-make worship accessible for all
The intended purpose of the temple was being abused: So Jesus confronted them; At Friends Memorial Church we are about gathering to worship God; about blessing ministry; about being the people of God gathered in Seattle; How does that impact our decisions; regarding our use of this building; regarding our finances; regarding where we put our energy and time
Jesus calls us to focus on God's purposes not mine: When Jesus answers the Jews questions with "in 3 days I'll rebuild it"; it looks to God's purposes rather than the human purposes; This building isn't the point-no matter how much you love it
That's true for us too: If God says sell it and follow me to a purpose you don't see yet; Let us do it
When the answer comes that makes absolutely no sense: Let's stop and sit with it together; In the presence of God ask the question; "God, what is your purpose, what are you saying?"
We can ask the same thing about every part of our life: Home-car-money-life-job-recreation-401(k); What is its intended purpose?; Am I being faithful to that intended purpose?; Am I focused on God's purpose for it?; If I don't know or don't understand what I hear, will I wait and listen?; Will others gather and listen with me?
Home-If God calls you to a ministry of hospitality: Faithfulness means living in space where I can do that; Having a nice home that can accommodate guests; Having a home I feel comfortable sharing with others
Cars-Ernie and Muriel-2 people-How many cars do you have? How big?: They have 4 cars and the smallest holds 7 people; Because they have a ministry of transporting people; Things that go beyond their intended purpose; 401(k)-Income during retirement; But NOT my security
Job-Income, place I participate in society: When it becomes my identity-when it defines me-it's gone too far
Recreation/Vacation-Re-creation: Too little-we're never re-created; But when it comes the place I escape to in denial of life-it's too far
If things get out-of-bounds: Call them back to their intended purpose; OR if too restricting-open it to its intended purpose; 2. Name its purpose; 3. Listen to God around it
At the conclusion of open worship: SANCTUARY (Heb. miqdash, Gr. hagion, holy place).; This refers almost exclusively to the tabernacle or temple.; God's sanctuary was his established earthly abode,; the place where he chose to dwell among his people (Ps 114:2).
God himself is a sanctuary for his people (Isa 8:14; Ezek 11:19).: The word is used particularly of the Most Holy Place,; whether of the tabernacle or of the temple.; When it is used in the plural, it usually denotes idolatrous shrines,; or high places, which Israelites who compromised with heathenism
A sanctuary was also a place of asylum,: the horns of the altar especially being regarded as inviolable (cf. 1 Kings 2:28-29).; In Hebrews (8:2; 9:1-2; 13:11) the author makes clear; that the earthly sanctuary was only a type of the true sanctuary,; which is in heaven, of which Christ is the High Priest; and in which he offers himself as a sacrifice (10:1-18).
When Jesus died: The curtain was torn; All people could now enter into the holy of holies; We have full access to God; God fully comes to us all
Sanctuary-The place on earth where God dwells: But it is no longer confined to a place
This space we worship in is a place of gathering: But not he space where God is; God's sanctuary is the whole earth; God is here in this place in power-because we have gathered
So let's tell the truth of that with our language: This is a gathering place of worship NOT a sanctuary; pure and holy, tried and true;; With thanksgiving,; I'll be a living sanctuary for You.
May we be cognizant of God's calling: and live that out to the edges of our being; a living sanctuary for God