2010 Thoughts and Reflections on Easter

Matt 21:12&13 – Cleansing of the Temple
“It’s a sad but true fact of the faith: religion is used for profit and prestige. When it is there are two results: people are exploited and God is infuriated.” In the temple, Jesus likely saw many things that bothered him and two are specifically mentioned money changers and dove sellers. Worshipers had to pay for things using temple money not Roman coins – so there was a pretty good profit made by charging fees and low conversion rates. Also, worshipers traveling from far away likely didn’t want to carry and deal with their own animals for sacrifices so they were paying exorbitant prices for the convenience of getting there animals right in the temple.

“It’s not difficult to see what angered Jesus. Pilgrims journeyed days to see God, to witness the holy, to worship His Majesty. But before they were taken into the presence of God, they were taken to the cleaners. What was promised and what was delivered were two different things. Want to anger God? Get in the way of people who want to see Him.”

“Christ’s passion on Monday is indignance.” You may not be one that emphasizes your profit more than the Prophet, but is there any way that you are getting in the way of God? Are you resisting His plan for you? Are you keeping a part of your self from Him – trying to hide or just not giving Him full authority? Is there someone that you know you need to have a spiritual conversation with and you keep putting it off? Is there a couple that you need to invite to church but you haven’t made the effort? Is the temple that needs to be cleansed today not in Jerusalem but in you?
Sources: Matthew 21:12&13 and And the Angels Were Silent, Max Lucado, Chapter 8.


Matt 21:18-22, Rev 3:15&16 – Where’s the Fruit?
Have you ever been really thirsty only to find a vending machine that’s out of drinks? What about opening a cereal box but when you start to pour it into your bowl you find out it’s empty? Have you pulled out a pack of gum then realized all of pieces are gone? That’s how Jesus felt.

Jesus, hungry and on his way to Jerusalem, stops for figs. Look at Matt 21:19, “found nothing on it except leaves.” It was a good looking tree, lots of leaves, full, and in a great location right by the road – but nothing of substance, no benefit, no help for others, not fulfilling it’s purpose. Max Lucado says “It’s all promise and no performance. The symbolism is too precise for Jesus to ignore. He’s not angry at the tree. He’s angry at what the tree represents. Jesus is disgusted by lukewarm, placid, vain believers who have pomp but no purpose.”

Consider Revelation 3:15&16 concerning the church in Laodicea. The Lord says that they are “neither cold nor hot.” They look fine, but are not satisfying. The church can’t bring warmth on a cold day nor cool refreshment on a hot day. The end of verse 16 translates literally “to vomit.” This church with no fruit is incompatible with the Body of Christ – vomiting is the bodies way of rejecting what it cannot handle. God can’t stomach a lukewarm faith.

Where does this leave us? Earnestly seek for whether you are hot, cold, or somewhere in the middle. Do you offer promising love but your worship falls flat? Do you look nice on the outside, but your insides are in turmoil? Do you perform the right acts, but your worship falls flat? Do you relate to others but can’t remember the last time you related to God? Lord, may we be open and honest about our faith and our relationship with you. May we be found hot and may our fruit be pleasing to you.
Sources: Matthew 21:18-22, Revelation 3:15&16, and And the Angels Were Silent, Max Lucado, Chapter 9.


The Depth of His Love
Saturday. No Disciples to be found. No healings or miracles. Just sneers on the faces of the religious leaders. Just tears on the cheeks of those who love Him.

Reminders of the past. The man who walked on water and calmed the storms didn’t stop the whip or the nails. The man who said that the Kingdom of God is at hand is now encased in a borrowed tomb. What had John the Baptist said three years ago, “behold the Lamb of God?” What had Jesus said a week ago about what would happen, He would “be mocked and flogged and crucified?” How had He known? How could He have allowed this to happen?

Jesus mentioned the sign of Jonah. Jesus mentioned that this temple would be rebuilt in three days. Jesus mentioned plainly that “on the third day He will be raised up."

Three days. Three days wrapped in linens and our sin. Three days lonely and loving. Loving? Really? Only His love for you allowed Him to fully express the depth of His love. Between the cruelty of his crucifixion and the radiance of his resurrection is silence. It’s the calm before the storm. The dark early morning, still and quiet before most of the world awakes. “Be still and know that I am God.” Be still today and consider the depth of His love.
Sources: John 1:29, Matt 20:17-19, Matt 12:38-40, John 2:18-20, Ps 46:10

These were primarily written for the Genesis LIFE Group of nearly and newly weds at Church at the Cross.