Today we tell the story of the uncomfortable introduction of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.  The scene that we have set before us, called the cleansing of the Temple, is Messiah’s first public act.  The storming of the Temple is the way that the meek, mild, and gentle Jesus introduces himself to the Jews as the rightful heir of the throne of David.  What a strange way to introduce yourself.  Why did Messiah storm on the scene this way?  He did it to show that worship is the pinnacle and most important need of mankind and must not be trivialized. 

Messiah Examines Our Worship 13-14

All Jews were to come to Jerusalem for tree festivals each year:

Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Deut 16:16;

Jesus went up to Jerusalem, along with a few million others. 

It was impractical to bring sacrificial animals from such distances.

Sacrificial animals were available in Jerusalem — for a price.

Most Jews also paid the temple tax at Passover. Exodus 30:13, 26

Roman coinage was unacceptable for God’s house.

Money-changers charged an exorbitant price to exchange your coin.

The priests also inflated price for sacrificial animals.

They turned the Court of the Gentiles into a meat market.

The Temple was hardly a place where you could seek the Lord. 

We must not interject abberant practices into our worship.

Messiah Confronts Our Hypocrisy 15-17

Jesus did not begin his ministry as “meek and mild!”

Cleansing the Temple was not an impulsive reaction.  It was planned. 

Jesus was presenting himself as Messiah, the strong deliverer. 

Jesus demonstrated the kind of worship required in His coming kingdom. 

Jesus was committing an act of Civil disobedience. 

Jesus demonstrated a pattern of civil disobedience during his ministry.

When politics interfere with the worship of the church, we must disobey. 

Jesus drove the sacrifices out in preparation for their replacement

Jesus was presenting Himself as “the Son of God.”

Messiah Asserts His Authority  18-25

The Priests themselves should have led the reform!  Mal 3:1-3

The civil authorities asked were Jesus got the authority to break the law.

Jesus replied, “destroy this temple, and in three days I’ll rebuild it.” 

All the authority Jesus needed was in the resurrection.

Instead of accepting a king’s coronation, Jesus withdrew. 

Jesus stands in the shadows waiting to see if you will truly follow Him, or whether it will simply be business as usual in your household.  The Messiah calls you to believe in him for eternal life, but also to follow Him when he does unpopular things like cleansing the temple.  He knows your heart.  Do you?  Are you willing to follow no matter the consequences?