• FROM MY STUDY

    SPECIAL EASTER EDITION

    ARTICLE ONE

    PASTOR GARY

    APRIL 18, 2011

     

    SINCE MANY BIBLE HISTORIANS BELIEVE THAT THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF CHRIST INTO JERUSALEM TOOK PLACE ON SUNDAY THE 9TH DAY OF NISAN, 30 AD, LET’S CONSIDER ONE OF THE THINGS JESUS DID THE DAY AFTER THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN THE 10TH DAY OF NISAN, 30 AD.

     

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    In comparing the various Gospel accounts, it appears that after the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Jesus may have gone back to the Bethphage area, some two miles east of the City. Then, according Matthew 21:12 and 13, on the next morning, which was Monday, He returned to Jerusalem and headed straight for the Temple.  Upon arriving there, He saw some folks selling and buying doves for personal gain, thus showing a lack of respect for that sacred place.  In fact, Jesus said that they made the Temple into a “den of thieves.” Jesus become so angry at their act that He turned over the tables they were using for their sales and the chairs they were sitting upon and cast them out of the House of God.

     

    This was the second time Jesus had cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem.  John 2:14-16 describes a similar incident at the beginning of His public ministry, but in that event, the temple officials confronted Christ immediately afterward, but none of the Gospel accounts indicate that such occurred during the second cleansing.  Instead the Gospels all describe how Jesus addressed those who were present and made it an opportunity for teaching that His House was to be a “house of prayer” for all people.

     

    What lesson can we learn from this event?  Perhaps there are several, but the main one I want to emphasize is that the building that is dedicated to the worship of God should be respected.  Certainly the “church house” is nothing special in itself, but because it is a place set aside for God’s people to join together in their homage of Him, it is reasonable to give it the respect it deserves.  What does that mean?  Among other things, when we approach the church house on the Lord’s Day, particularly the “sanctuary,” we should do it with honor, removing our hats (a matter for males to consider), and preparing our hearts to worship God in spirit and in truth.  In fact, we would do well to dress in an appropriate way so as not to draw attention to ourselves.  We should also enter with quietness and ease in order not to disturb others or hinder them from focusing on the Lord.  As the hymns are sung, we should pay close attention to the words so that we can worship and praise God with a genuine attitude.  When the message is given from the Bible, we should listen intently so as to learn what God has for us that day.  At the time of the invitation, we should prayerfully ask God to speak to our hearts, respond as He deals with us, and remain quiet so as not to disturb others to whom God may be speaking.  As the service closes, it would be well for us to leave respectfully and obey what we were just taught from the Bible by the pastor.

     

    Most of us spend just a few hours a week in church and then go about other personal business as is necessary.  Therefore the time we spend in the building that is dedicated to worshipping God with others of like precious faith, should be respectful, sincere, genuine, divinely focused and not in any way self-centered or fleshly oriented.

     

    Jesus taught those who were in the Temple that day that God’s House should be honored because of Who it stands for.  I believe that as we do the same to the “church house” today that God will be honored, we will be blessed, and our worship will be meaningful.

     

    Think about it!

     

    The Lord willing, tomorrow we will chat about one of the things Jesus did on Tuesday of the week of His passion.  Until then, God bless you and Keep Looking UP!

     

    Pastor Gary