(05/16/2018) Jesus Rebuked The Moneychangers?

The photo depicts the table of the currency exchanger projecting discipline, order, and the "letter of the law" while denying the presence, righteousness, and spirit of the Lawgiver.

Today, reply is on the sacred event wherein Jesus cleansed the temple at Jerusalem by revealing the wrath of GOD against sin.  Jesus had been to the temple many times before as a firstborn son during obligatory feasts and festival days.  This time, his entry into Jerusalem was as head of a new ministry (one that had healed thousands and released others from demons); and he was met by those from many different areas of the nation whose lives he already had touched.  In addition to the ancient message that GOD must be worshipped through obedience to sacred law, Jesus brought the message, GOD must be worshiped in spirit and in truth.  One of the many fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data shared) posted the following:

If Jesus loves sinners then why did he attack money changers?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?  And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.  And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.  And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.  And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,  And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?  (Matthew 21:  10-16, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  His Enemies A Footstool (04/29/2018); Divine Wrath Against Sin? (10/17/2017); Determining What Is Sin (06/15/2017); Hosanna In The Highest (04/09/2017); Divine Love Seen As Hate? (01/29/2015); A House Of Prayer For All People? (08/10/2014); Holy Ground (03/30/2014); The Temple Mount (03/31/2014); Money-changers in The Temple? (06/23/2013); Believers and the Cross (06/24/2013)

“Anonymous”, here are some points you may find useful.  Most Christian believers are able to understand that GOD’s love for the sinner is like that of a father’s love for his daughters or sons in spite of their poor grades at school, or their poor performance of chores within the home.  There may be anger, disappointment, and a punishment, yet, the affection and bond of parent and child continues as permanent, stable, and unshaken:

1.  By allowing moneychangers and those selling animals as offerings and sacrifices to be stationed on holy ground, and within the precincts of the temple, non-residents, travelers and folk only passing-through mistakenly were seen as being assisted and encouraged to perform genuine devotion and worship.

2.  The moneychangers and livestock sellers also were seen as officials and authoritative influences within the sacred hierarchy that included only the consecrated Priests, Levites, and saints  (e.g., prophets, sanctified widows, and those under vows such as Anna and Simon).

3.  The lawyers, scribes, factions. and beggars who also were part of the continuing temple community were like the overlay of party officials, politicians, lobbyists, and petitioners in some national capitals who seek to control and direct government, legislation, and public policy, yet have no authority as government employees.

4.  The mandatory feasts and festivals that required all firstborn males and heirs to appear at Jerusalem, also continued the experience of Israel as a people in relationship with divinity as sons of Abraham, as nomads, as pilgrims, and as those seeking the city of GOD.

5.  While Jesus was respected as only having the authority and title of “rabbi”, he performed a cleansing of the temple proclaiming his anointing and authority to be that of a prophet, a judge, a king, a son of Abraham, the heir of David, and the promised Messiah.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, 6.  Jesus did not display anger, temporal feelings of hatred, or behavior that was a momentary, interpersonal response to disrespect, an insult, or some act of rudeness that could be easily dismissed, forgiven, and forgotten.  Jesus displayed and revealed jealousy, zeal, and the character, makeup and substance of GOD directed against blasphemy, defilement, idolatry, impenitence, and irreverence—we say, the wrath against sin that is a perpetual aspect within the full GODhead.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC