Zeal for your house

Following Tim Blabers sermon on Sunday about consumerism siting John 2:12-25 I decided to delve a little deeper.  If you want to hear Tim's sermon then you can get it on the New Community Church (Sidcup) website.  The Story entitled "Jesus clears the Temple" is accounted for in all four Gosples and each has a slightly different angle.  What caught my eye was this wierd verse 17 "Zeal for your house will consume me" quoting Psalm 69:9.  In the context of the Psalm there is this persuit of God which is unstoppable.  Nothing and no one is going to stop this guy having his eyes trans fixed upon God - even if God turns His head from him.


Zeal or intense enthusism or ardent endeavour or devotion for a place where God resides is something worth having.  Jesus spent everyday in the temple teaching.  The physical temple before His death was the place where God resided.  After His death, the curtain was ripped in two and the old temple was no more.  Jesus said in Verse 19 "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days".  Referring to Himself being the temple and God residing in Him.  And when we become a Christian our body becomes a temple for the Holy Spirit.  So our attitude should be the same as Jesus - "Zeal for your house".  Jesus displayed this zeal by physically dealing with those things in the temple that should not be there.  And so should we.  Be enthusiastic about clearing the temple.  We could sit back and allow things into our heart that offends God - but that does show a lack of zeal.  Self sacrifice is important. 

In Matthew 9:13 Jesus says "I desire mercy not sacrifice" quoting Hosea 6:6 which continues "And acknowledgement of God rather then burnt offerings".  Another reason why Jesus may have turned over the tables etc was because he found the offerings offensive because in their hearts the people did not acknowledge God.  The people thought more of the religious act of sacrificing an animal or a bird, then they did about showing mercy to their fellow human being.  Luke 10:25-37 tells the story of the good Samaritan showing mercy.

The businessmen selling sheep and the money exchangers dont appear to have put up any kind of fight when Jesus chased them out.  He was not arrested by the Temple guard which suggests he may have had authority over the guards and had the authority to do what he did.  Jesus said that he taught in the Temple daily and scolars would question him.  He was recognised as being a rabbi in the temple and everywhere He went He was referred to as "rabbi" or teacher.  This was not an ordinary man in the temple on that day - He was a rabbi and His physical attire may have made Him stand out in the crowd as being a rabbi. 


Reading the Bible with a view that Jesus was a recognised rabbi rather then an everyday carpenter or a person that just frequented the temple makes alot of stories make more sense.  Having such authority to do what he did in the temple may also suggest he was a very respected rabbi - possibly a chief priest!  Food for thought!!

'ave a word!

The first of many - hopefully!  Christianity, Cycling, Ecology, Chelsea, Music, Photography, Virtual Tours, Camping, Boys' Brigade, Greenwich ... Thats what you'll hear from me, and putting the world to rights!  Welcome to the wierd and wonderful world of Mervyn58.

Christianity - There is but one God
Cycling - My preferred mode of transport
Ecology - Save the planet or just save money
Chelsea - Keep the blue flag flying high
Music - Ska, reggae, 80's, vinyl, CDs
Photography - Adictive hobby
Virtual Tours - Low level quality but I dont care
Camping - Under canvas for the best holidays
Boys' Brigade - First and best
Greenwich - the world revolves around Greenwich

You'll be hearing more from me on these so keep your eyes peeled (ouch!)