| Jesus Cleansing the Temple [message #12657] |
Sat, 05 January 2019 19:28  |
 Mark L
Messages: 855
Registered: October 2006
Location: Canada |
Senior Member |
|
|
Matt. 21/12
mark 11/15
Luke 19/45
John 2/13-17
Let me say right off I would pay some serious money to have seen this. It must have been quite a sight.
Some scholars believe Jesus did it twice (Augustine & Aquinas) I disagree with that. Matt Luke and Mark all put it at the end of his ministry just prior to the crucifixion. I think it was this that was the final issue that led to his being killed. The powers that be will put up with a lot but start going after their money and look out.
The issue with the temple was as Jesus said it had become a den of thieves. For a animal to be sacrificed it had to be approved by the priest. The problem was they would only approve animals bought in the temple as there was always a problem (?) with the one you brought. And of course the acceptable ones for sale carried high prices. Like he said den of thieves. Same with the money changers. Money had to be turned into an acceptable form which the money changers were happy to do at an usurious rate of course. Plus other problems. I'm sure there were a lot of godly people in Israel very upset about the situation.
Here are my thoughts on Jesus cleansing the temple.
I think it started way back when he was young. The temple was the very centre of Jewish life. So for a young boy 12 yrs old just entering manhood visiting the temple for the first time would have been an overwhelming experience. The very centre of the world. God himself sitting on his throne in the Holy of Holies Which was in my opinion why he had the whole getting lost experience and sitting with elders etc. Just overwhelmed.
After a few more visits Passovers Sukkot etc and few more years he started noticing what was going on. Asking his parents questions. Hearing the talk of the godly about the mess at the temple. His parents being godly people would certainly have told him Probably coming home upset and angry and asking questions like . . why don't we do something about it. When he was older and on his own and he was thinking about it the righteous anger sometimes got the best of him. Threw down his tools and headed off for Jerusalem to do something about this travesty. Getting somewhere down the road eventually getting control of himself and going back home. I think he did that several times.
He knew who he was and that it wasn't just the temple being defiled but "his" temple being defiled. I think as he grew up there was an awareness and understanding that there was a time for things to happen. He simply had to force the anger down and overcome it and just wait on Gods time.
It should also be noted that much of his ministry took place in Jerusalem and often in the temple so the situation there would have obvious to him on many occasions. Plus I'm sure he got questions about it. I think it was a very big issue among the godly in Israel. My point is by the time of his ministry there would a been a deep simmering anger within him about the situation. Which he had to keep forced down and out of the way.
Finally the day comes. He walks up to the temple his pace quickening knowing what he is going to do. Goes inside looks around and allows that anger that had been simmering within him all these years to just rise up and consume him. The point to making the whip out of small cords was so he didn't have to use his fists. Made out of rope so it would be felt but not really hurt anyone.
Look at it from the other side. There would have been a lot of money there I'm sure with some serious security. Guards and soldiers weapons and men that knew how to use them. So they weren't going to put up with some wacko coming in off the street in a rage. So he must have had some supernatural help.
It must have been quite a sight. I'm sure he was shouting. Using his whip to chase people away. Throwing the tables over opening cages scared animals running around making lots of noise. Security trying to do something about it and just falling all over themselves. Again he must have had some supernatural help.
Eventually everyone was out and the place was a mess. Not that he cared. When he was finished he as God sat down in his temple and taught and healed the sick. The news of this would have gone out over the city and eventually the whole country. The godly would have heard and realized that God had visited his people and purified his temple.
You can read
"Meanderings on Scripture by Mark
https://mlederman.substack.com/
|
|
|
|
| Re: Jesus Cleansing the Temple [message #12660 is a reply to message #12658] |
Thu, 17 January 2019 14:35  |
Mark L
Messages: 855
Registered: October 2006
Location: Canada |
Senior Member |
|
|
I actually toned it down somewhat.  So many of the stories in the bible are 2 dimensional. In that not a lot of info is given. And rightly so or we would have a library instead of a book.
[Updated on: Thu, 17 January 2019 14:35]
You can read
"Meanderings on Scripture by Mark
https://mlederman.substack.com/
|
|
|
| Re: Jesus Cleansing the Temple [message #12661 is a reply to message #12660] |
Thu, 17 January 2019 20:11 |
james
Messages: 2140
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
|
|
Yep! That's what God had John write....
"And there are also MANY other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." John 21:25
But still......you do seem to have a vivid imagination. 
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
|
|
|
Members
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
E-mail to friend 
