It is interesting that the scriptural account of Jesus casting out the money-changers takes place at the beginning of his ministry and then again in his final days, creating a frame of prophecy and fullfillment
concerning his mission. Christ cast out the money changers and then the Jews asked him for a sign as to why he could do this. He responded with a prophecy that they remember and repeat, mockingly, to him in his final days. John 2 . He really irks them, but he clearly testifies that he is the Messiah. This also sets up, in a very clear, and even aggressive way, the division between him and the Jewish leaders.
In the latter account, he again confronts the leaders of the Jews. The people gather to the temple after he has cleansed it to be healed and to hear him. Horrified the leaders point out that "these" the poor, the children, the infirm, are his followers. He responds by quoting scripture that could have been delivered straightforwardly, but also could have been very mocking on his part: "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise." Matthew 21:16 We can see the anger of the Jewish leaders who wanted to kill Jesus, and their desire to forcefully silence him.
As teachers we are not dealing with money-changers (or the temple), but do we take seriously the duty of protecting the reverence of the Lord's house? and his doctrine?
Is reverence just holding still and being quiet?
To what degree is reverence active?
Can our reverence anger others? why?
When does reverence demand action, when does it rather demand circumspection (as in the recent comments from the Church on protests and the Book of Mormon Musical by the creators of South Park) and what reponses might we expect?
How do we show reverence in church? at school?
Where does reverence come from? What motivates us to be reverent?
concerning his mission. Christ cast out the money changers and then the Jews asked him for a sign as to why he could do this. He responded with a prophecy that they remember and repeat, mockingly, to him in his final days. John 2 . He really irks them, but he clearly testifies that he is the Messiah. This also sets up, in a very clear, and even aggressive way, the division between him and the Jewish leaders.
In the latter account, he again confronts the leaders of the Jews. The people gather to the temple after he has cleansed it to be healed and to hear him. Horrified the leaders point out that "these" the poor, the children, the infirm, are his followers. He responds by quoting scripture that could have been delivered straightforwardly, but also could have been very mocking on his part: "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise." Matthew 21:16 We can see the anger of the Jewish leaders who wanted to kill Jesus, and their desire to forcefully silence him.
As teachers we are not dealing with money-changers (or the temple), but do we take seriously the duty of protecting the reverence of the Lord's house? and his doctrine?
Is reverence just holding still and being quiet?
To what degree is reverence active?
Can our reverence anger others? why?
When does reverence demand action, when does it rather demand circumspection (as in the recent comments from the Church on protests and the Book of Mormon Musical by the creators of South Park) and what reponses might we expect?
How do we show reverence in church? at school?
Where does reverence come from? What motivates us to be reverent?
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