#ComeSunday #WorshipBulletin: Read the scripture and download the bulletin to prepare for 10:00 am Sunday worship, Holy Communion and Weekly Bible studies!
John 2:13-17 (New Revised Standard Version)
13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Summary:
The biblical story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness is our story. We love Jesus because he has been where we are and is with us in the midst of our wilderness experiences.
In this passage, Jesus’ discovers that the temple had become a wilderness. In deep anger and frustration, Jesus demands that the house of worship stop exploiting the community, but rediscover its call to empower the people in God’s name. Every now and then, we forget our purpose in life and need a spiritual “spring cleaning” to “get right” with the Lord.
Reflection Questions:
- What is a word, phrase or image that comes to mind when you read or hear the text?
- What does this scripture teach you about the temple?
- What does God invite you to do, change or be through this passage?