3/9/2021 7:22:23 PM
March 7, 2021
Third Sunday in Lent
Sermon Text: John 2:13-22
Other Readings: Exodus 20:1-17 and Romans 8:1-10
The temple in our account was not the one Solomon built (it was destroyed in the 500’s BC), but 1 Kings 6:1-38 helps us picture the layout of this temple. Wikipedia could also be helpful.
- Why do you think the Jewish leaders allowed the buying and selling of animals in the temple courts?
- How do you know that Jesus was not sinning by angrily overturning the tables and driving out the money changers?
- Why are Jesus’ words in verse 19 significant?
- In our Second Lesson Paul assures us that the Spirit of Christ is in us, which means that God has given us the godly zeal that Christ displayed in our sermon text. What impact does that have on us?
- The Jewish leaders let people buy and sell in the temple courts, presumably, because those who sold animals and changed money made a profit. Nothing should disturb God’s people from hearing God’s Word, though, or coming to God in prayer and praise in thanks for God’s mercies.
- Jesus was not sinning because what was at stake was the glory and honor of God. His temple was to be a place for worship. But isn’t anger always sin? No. God the Father “expresses his wrath every day,” but never sins (Psalm 7:11). Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). He could not.
- In John 2:19 our Savior predicted his own resurrection from the dead. When he fulfilled his promise, he proved he truly is God and keeps his Word. That truth gives us sinners hope and comfort. Only God can save us; Jesus is God. He has rescued us! (See Romans 4:25.)
- It impacts us knowing that we have Christ’s righteousness credited to us and that we are spiritually alive right now and will live forever with God. Praise God!