Hello again, all. It's a rainy Wednesday afternoon here in Concord, NH and I only have one thing to add that I forgot to mention on Monday. Tomorrow is my parents' 55th Anniversary. I've been so busy lately that I didn't give it any serious thought until earlier today. I'll most likely be making their card sometime tomorrow afternoon and blogging it ahead of joining them for dinner. As if I don't have enough to do this week... ;p But it is fairly important, so I guess I'll flow with it. LOL
And now, about 10 minutes later, I just got a call from my oldest, Carissa, asking for some help getting tires and the news that my ex-husband, Rich's, fiancée and 2 girls are moving up to Maine to be with him later this month. Prayer all around for that situation on top of Rich losing his job the other week.
Oh, and in other news around the building, the Laundry Room is getting new machines that take our debit cards as of next week, and scaffolding is going up outside on the front and North* sides of the building for the continued reworking of our balconies... this Summer is going to be SOOO much fun... ;p
We all like to turn up the volume when our favorite song comes on the radio or playlist, right?? You may have seen the internet image of huge speakers and the question is asked, "What's the first song you'd play??" My answers tend toward songs like "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock or an older Classic like, "Down on the Corner" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. In other scenarios, an action movie reaches a dramatic climax where the story arc turns and the hero proves his worth. While Jesus' life wasn't so much an action movie as a novella*; it reached a climax during His last Passover Week on Earth. You might say He "turned up the volume" on the drama being played out.
As we turn together to Luke 19:28-28, we see that, while the Triumphal Entry was a Victory March of sorts; Jesus was crossing a "threshold of conflict" in the story of His life's work and Ministry. The tension built to a climax during the course of the following week.
Luke 19:28-38
New International Version
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King 28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[a] “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
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In the context of this story, we find a couple of key factors --
-- the seething anger of the Pharisees and Sadducees against Jesus' teachings that went against so much of what they themselves taught and the threat this posed to their authority both Legally and Religiously.
-- the distance and naivete of the crowd as they shouted "Hosanna" with the yearning and expectation of a new King and freedom from the Roman regime; but not getting what they expected from Jesus in that as the week's events unfolded.
Rather than coming as the "conquering hero" they were expecting, Jesus came in quiet; His goal to refocus them, and in turn us, by confronting the issues within them/us. The passage above uses language suggestive of a kingly position in the facts of His riding on an animal and having cloaks and branches laid on the road ahead. This fulfills the Davidic Covenant presented in 2 Samuel 7:8-29. It also echoes David's son Solomon riding into Jerusalem on a donkey in 1 Kings 1:33. Also, in Zechariah 9:9-11, we find the Prophecy of a king coming in victory on riding a donkey*. Between this and other references to Jesus in the OT, such as Isaiah 53, you could say that the Prophets were "peeking over the wall" toward Messiah. And really, the signs go all the way back to Genesis 3:15 when God tells the Devil that there would one day be an offspring of a woman who would crush him. Several hundred years later, we find God making a Covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12 promising that his seed would cover the Earth and be a blessing to all. As the Jews failed in this mission, as God knew they would, Jesus was the fulfillment of this Covenant as well. The results of both being that we now have a New Covenant in Him. Psalm 118 speaks of Jesus' ultimate victory over David's enemies. In it we see Him named as rescuer, defender, and cornerstone*. We also hear shouts of victory with boughs in hand, thus setting a precedent for Jesus' final ride into Jerusalem.
It is important that we realize the strategic, purposeful timing of this final ride. Passover was the time during the Jewish Year that the most people would be gathered in Jerusalem to witness the events He knew were coming. The point of Jesus' riding through the East Gate* with the High Priest watching the procession from the top. This was known as the "Sheep's Gate" and was the entry for the sacrificial lambs during Passover. The Priest would inspect the lambs offered up and select the best for slaughter. One article I just looked at mentions that Jesus' description of Himself as the "gate for the sheep" in John 10:9, cited a passage from Nehemiah saying that this gate had no bolts or bars, providing free access to all who desired entry. In choosing this gate for His entry, Jesus was "turning up the volume" on the drama already in motion. He was coming as King to rescue us in victory through sacrificial love.
Continuing to read the next passage in verses 39-44, we see that Jesus was literally weeping over the city because they didn't recognize the moment of their rescue and salvation in Him and their future destruction as the tragic result of their unbelief. The source of their peace was hidden from them.
Next, verses 45-48, we see Him flipping the tables of merchants in the outer courts of the Temple*. This was the only area where Gentiles were allowed, and therefore the location in which Jesus did the majority of His teaching within the Temple walls. His point was not only the Spiritual Purity of the Temple; but the fact that the entire Earth was meant to be God's Temple to rule and reign over Creation with the help of His people. The Garden of Eden, the Exodus out of Egypt, the Tabernacle in the desert, cherubim, fruit, and humans ourselves are all symbolic of God's presence; and thus His desire to fellowship with us. Jesus admonishes the people in the Temple court that, "My House will be a House of prayer." Ultimately, the entire Earth is meant to reflect this thought.
Jesus' statement in John 1:14, that the Temple would be destroyed and rebuilt in 3 days angered the the authorities who heard it. They were both threatened and confused by this idea. Who would have the sheer audacity to destroy the the Temple, their source of power and control!? And furthermore, how could it ever be possible to rebuild such a structure in just 3 days' time!!?? This confrontation was borne of His love and compassion for them.
The fact is, both culture and economy are neutral elements of life. The motives depend on us individually. In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 7, verse 11; we find the same language used as Jesus did in His outburst at the Temple. In this portion of Scripture, God is speaking through Jeremiah and reprimanding the Jews for continuing to follow False Religions while claiming faith in Him in the Temple. He is speaking of treating the Temple like a "den of thieves". This is more directly found in Mark's Gospel telling of the story; but the word, "brigands" is actually used in both places (Mk. and Jer.). Likewise, it is used to describe Barabbas, the thief on the next cross beside Jesus. Also, if you were to read the books of the Maccabees*, you would find Judas Maccabee labeled a brigand.
In coming out so strongly against the merchants in the Temple Courts, Jesus was critiquing the human uses of power and religion in exercising control over people. They were in direct opposition to God's directive of Israel to be a light to the nations. Rather than inviting people into the light of God, as they had been commissioned to do; they were condemning the World and setting themselves above it in their pride and arrogance.
Other passages in the Gospels show Jesus keeping things quiet because it was not the right time to reveal His true Identity to the "powers and principalities" in charge of the World. But now, at this Passover Celebration, the time had come to bring the prophecies and promises to fruition. This was His invitation to each of us to lay down our idols in order to gain peace. These "idols" encompass our ideas of identity, purpose, and the protection of ourselves and others.
As humans, we have a tendency to create our own paths to peace; but these are inherently misplaced unless they lead to Jesus. Our talk without the guidance of the Holy Spirit will do us no lasting good. Our resorting to violence as a way to solve problems only creates more. Our ideologies and politics only serve to divide us.
The embrace of these mistaken ideals also serve as idols that enslave us just as those listed in the last paragraph. Jesus offers freedom and peace.
What does He find in us today?? It is a life or death decision based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus or the denial thereof. I pray you choose life.
-- God Bless!!
Footnotes --
1) I live on the North side of the building and need to clear my balcony by Friday. :/
2) My description of Jesus' life as a "novella" in no way indicates that I think it is fiction. I simply chose that term because the period of His public ministry was not long enough to be considered a full length novel. (at least not as presented in the Gospels)
3) In terms of the 1 Kings and Zechariah references, I've most likely heard them before; but had forgotten them until this past Sunday. It's nice to be reminded of obscure moments like these in Scripture once in a while. It provides a fresh perspective. :)
4) Matt. 21:42 and Mark 12:1-11 both include references to Jesus as "the cornerstone the builders rejected".
5) In looking for verses to support Jesus' use of the Sheep's Gate, I found 2 fairly short articles that help to expound on this -- https://johndavies.typepad.com/blog/john-10-at-the-sheep-gate-saved-from-sacrifice.html
https://steppesoffaith.medium.com/the-history-and-prophecy-of-the-triumphant-entry-gate-65f8a14c5c33
6) Jesus' clearing of the Temple prompts some Churches to not sell anything on their premises. Conversely, I've attended places that had small stores in them for water, mints, gum, and small gifts. It really just depends on the motives of those in charge.
Some also use it as defense for being unruly in Church settings where tempers are flared. (or any other setting of strife) Just be careful of your motives in this; Jesus had righteous indignation. We may not.
7) The books of the Maccabees, for those who may not know; are found in the Apocrypha. This is a portion of Scripture that mostly takes place during the 400 yrs' gap between the Old and New Testaments. It has been left out of the canon of the Bible most of us are more familiar with; but is still included in Catholic Bibles. I think I've also seen it sold individually, but don't quote me on that.
Music -- Never any rights!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfzXHU0HOWI
Bonus -- bc I love it and it fits -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qs-zOZIRds