PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006
| Weekly Bible Studies |
| Study 12: 18th - 24th September
Jesus
Clears The Temple. “So Jesus made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the Temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Fathers house into a market! His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”(John Chapter 2 verse 12 to17 (New International Version). Just about every time I play golf I see anger. Anger expressed at the golf ball not doing what it is supposed to do. Even though I may not show it, there is anger in me as well. We all find the game extremely frustrating. But at the end of the day, for most of us apart from Professionals, golf is just a game. We should never let our passion or anger to overcome the enjoyment of playing the game. We all are passionate about something, even if it is nothing. It has to do with what we value, what we enjoy, what keeps us alive and drives us. For golfers this passion translates to being successful at golf. Anger is expressed when what we are passionate about is under threat. Take away the favourite toy of a child and anger may be expressed. When a relationship breaks down, anger can come to the surface. Anger
and passion are closely related as they are in our reading today
with Jesus expressing anger at those who had turned the place of
worship into a market place. This anger is directly related to his
passion for the Temple being set aside for worship of God. Some
people are surprised that Jesus got angry and acted the way he did,
but this is normal and there is nothing wrong with expressing anger.
Anger that is bottled up will only cause further deeper problems
later. Jesus was angry because the place where God is worshipped was being pushed to the side in favour of money making. The Temple was composed of an inner room symbolising God’s presence, then working outwards, a place for Priests to offer sacrifices, then a place for the men to gather, then a place for women and finally, then a place for foreigners or Gentiles. The Courtyards where the money making was taking place was most likely in the outer courts of the Temple for the Gentiles and foreigners. It was there for all to see and be drawn to. This was a distraction from the purpose of the Temple. Since the greatest command we have in life is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, there is nothing we want to get in the road of this. It is Jesus’ love for God and the gathering of his people for worship that he was passionate about. This is something that is missing in a lot of us today, as we go about our own lives, at the expense of God’s community, the church. Many find church not necessary today, let alone being passionate about. We would do well to find this same love for God that Jesus had. I long to see a passion in golfers hearts for God, similar to their passion for golf. Jesus expressed his anger towards those selling by turning over the tables and the coins and chasing the animals from the area. This would have caused quite a disturbance. But notice Jesus didn’t inflict harm on anybody. His anger was controlled and made his point of defending God. Anger if it is constructive needs to be controlled and serve the purpose of challenging the injustice. Prayer. Lord God, give us a passion for you, to seek you with all our heart. Amen.
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