Thursday, March 22, 2012

In Control

“Jesus entered Jerusalem and came into the temple;
and after looking around at everything,
He left for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late. 

“On the next day… they came to Jerusalem. 
And He entered the temple and began to drive out
 those who were buying and selling in the temple,
and overturned the tables of the money changers
and the seats of those who were selling doves…
…And He began to teach and say to them,
‘Is it not written,
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”?  
But you have made it a robbers’ den.

“… The chief priests and the scribes heard this,
and began seeking how to destroy Him;
for they were afraid of Him,
 for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.”
~Mark 11:15-18

Lost Temper?
Out of Control?
Rage?

Here are Jesus’ actions:
1.    He walked around the day before and checked out the situation in the Temple, perhaps to gather information, or maybe to simple allow His presence to be witnessed as calm and composed.
2.    After walking several miles away to Bethany and sleeping overnight, He went back to the Temple the next day.
3.    He got physical, but not with people; only stuff.
4.    He remained there, seizing the moment to teach God’s truth to all who were present.
5.    He identified Himself as God; “My house…”
6.    He declared God’s purpose for the “house of prayer”, as was spelled out Isaiah 56; “…for all the nations”, not for Jews alone.

What were the people’s reactions?
1.    The crowds were captivated by what Jesus said.
2.    The Jews, who held positions of leadership and authority “were afraid of Him”. 

Typically, a fit of rage indicates lack of self-control and establishes in any observer’s mind that the angry person is not to be completely trusted; a hot potato, a loose cannon. 
People who lack self-control don’t usually stick around; they leave.
It is simply a matter of time before word spreads and the person displaying rash behavior is written off as ill-mannered.  Thus pegged with this identity, any future threat the person poses causes him either to be under cautious scrutinization, to be avoided, or to be dealt with by brute strength or legal action.

So, why were the rulers afraid?
Were they afraid for themselves, that they might lose control of power or position? 
Did they recognize His true authority and become aware of their inability to validate their own?
Were they afraid for ruin of their financial benefits gained by requiring the Gentiles to perform costly rituals which were established by tradition? (Matt. 15:1-3, Mark 7:1-6)
Were they afraid that the Gentile population would infiltrate and dilute their sacred Jewish traditions?
Were they afraid of the possibility that this Jesus, who claimed to be God, might actually be God?
Did the Spirit of God cause them to be afraid in His presence?


Ultimately, it doesn’t matter why they were afraid.
It is, however, quite obvious
that Jesus’ actions that day in the Temple were resolutely
On Purpose
a dramatic teaching moment,
specifically timed,
and designed to communicate the Truth of God
to all who were present,
paving the way for God’s mercy.

“Oh, the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 
How unsearchable are His judgments
and unfathomable His ways! 
For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who became His counselor?” 
~Romans 11:33,34

Our anger is often as a result of our being out of control. 
Jesus’ anger is always in God’s control.

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