Jesus Enters the Temple and Predicts his Death and Resurrection

God Restores the Spirit of Those that Accept Jesus as Savior

Verses: John 2: 13-21

My thoughts about the verses:

I believe that God allows us to see the things that we need to see to help us fully understand the love and compassion that God has for us.  Have you ever noticed that there are always one or two trees in a field without leaves.  Have you thought about it and wondered why this had occurred.  Do you ever think that God is trying to show us that all things can be saved.  This tree is no different and it really shows how God can resurface in your life if that is your desire.  I bet the tree misses its leaves and wants to be restored.  Where is the best place to start this.  We have to start back at the root.  See the green working itself up the tree.  Amazingly this tree will hopefully one day be restored and its beauty show.

I think of the tree as those that have lost their connection with God.  The green growth at the bottom is Jesus.  Yet, the restoration is occurring somewhere that we cannot see it.  Deep down in the roots, our soul, God is rebuilding that direct link with God.  The wind may come and blow our leaves off but if we stay focused on God we will have everlasting spiritual connection to the one that loves us more than anyone or anything does.

This is probably not the first time you have heard the story of Jesus running the money changers out of the temple.  Jesus proclaimed in scripture that this is not the way the house of God was to be used.  I love the fact that Jesus took a whip made out of cords to drive those selling out of the temple.  Shocking to think that a whip would one day is used on Jesus.

This story occurs because the Jewish leaders have allowed individuals to come into the temple to sell items for sacrifice.  Ironic as it might seem the temple had become a market place.  The synagogue had become A place where items were bought and sold so that people could ask forgiveness for their sins.  I can almost see Jesus coming into the middle of the crowd and throwing the people out.  How could they expect Jesus or anyone else to truly worship at a place that bought forgiveness instead of offering it freely.

I believe that there is a much bigger meaning to this story.  In actuality isn't the story establishing what the temple should be.  I believe that Jesus is saying that this is a place of refuge.  The temple, home of God, should be a place where all can be safe.  Where those that desire to meet and commune with God could come to one place and be accepted even if they suffered in the world.

Jesus then had to deal with the Jewish leaders who were attempting to discredit him.  You can imagine them being upset here comes this man from Nazareth that has come into the temple and trying to change things.  So they tempt him by saying show us a miracle.

Now Jesus could have immediately fulfilled their request with a snap of the finger.  Then they would have the ammunition that they were looking for.  They also wanted him to tell them that he was the Son of God.  Jesus was ruining their plans.  They wanted a King that would come in and take back the land that God have given the Jews.  Yet, Jesus wasn't coming to do this instead he was preaching that he was the messiah that had come to restore their connection with God.

See Jesus wasn’t sent because God left us.  Instead Jesus was sent because we walked away from God.  Yet, instead of God allowing us to do it alone Jesus was sent here for one single mission to build a link between us and the Parent.

Jesus took on the challenge as only he could.  He said I will tear down the temple and I will rebuild it in three days.  I can almost hear the laughter of all those around him.  Today would never fully grasp how long and tedious it took to build the temple.  We think of modern equipment and think it must be an exaggeration that the temple took 46 years.  Yet, in the days that it was built the technology was not there and it was made by the blood and tears of those that worked hard to cut and lay each stone in place.

Even though they were laughing Jesus was making a point that some will never understand.  The temple was not the building but his  body.  His body that was bruised and beaten.  Jesus was God in the flesh so by crucifying Jesus the temple would be destroyed.

Prayer:

Dear God we thank you for sending Jesus.  We ask that you restore our spirits so that we may grow closer to you.  May you use the Holy Spirit to bring us to a closer understanding of your love. May we truly feel connected to those that are around us.  Dear God we ask that you give us the everlasting gift of new life through Jesus.  In you Holy Name we Pray.  Amen

Questions:

Are life's struggles keeping you down?  Are you worried that your connection with Christ has been disconnected?  Do you need a renewal of mind and spirit?  Today is a good day to ask for that reconnection with Christ. How each one of us can shows God's love?  How can you become the inspiration that someone needs to allow their roots to get stronger so they can regain the happiness and fulfilment of their life?