March 3 Worship

SJLC Sermons

The proximity of the Passover pushed Jesus to journey to Jerusalem and upon his arrival, he discovered a bustling marketplace within the temple. Outraged by the degradation of his Father's house, Jesus took stern action against the merchants and money changers, evicting them from the sacred space. The Jews questioned Jesus’s authority to conduct as such, to which he cryptically suggested that they destroy the temple, and he would rebuild it in three days. He was alluding to the resurrection of his body, a truth that the disciples would only grasp after his miraculous return from the dead.

Jesus, time and time again, entered this temple, especially during the Passover. The sight of livestock pens filled with cattle, sheep, and birds, alongside money changers, had become familiar. All these rituals followed religious mandates, including the first commandment of not making an idol or a graven image. However, this day felt different. Despite everything seemingly in place as per usual, Jesus experienced a powerful urge to expel all beings and activities from the temple. He could sense something wrong, a glitch in the system. He was not merely challenging minor financial malpractices or money changers extracting a small profit; his grievance was much deeper. He advocated for a disintegration of the entire temple system because it had outlived its purpose. He proclaimed himself as the new embodiment of the temple where divinity and humanity coexisted. He foretold his death and subsequent resurrection, a move so bold that it would bring a paradigm shift in the cosmos.

Through his confrontational actions and forewarning about his resurrection, Jesus called out the inflexible religious system and encouraged a new perspective of the world. His unique and audacious claim, supported by his resurrection, had the power to change the world. Yet, the world today still grapples with many of the same sins and shortcomings. Therefore, Jesus’s challenge to religious intransigence serves as a reminder for us to view the world differently – from the foot of the cross and the empty tomb.

The story about Paul Brand, a surgeon serving leprosy patients in India, offers a glimpse of this new perspective. In his address to the leprosy-stricken community, Dr. Brand drew a parallel between the deformed hands of the patients and Jesus's scarred hands, marking a shift in their perception of themselves. They were no longer outcasts but became part of Christ's crucified and resurrected body. Thus, it is evident that awareness of Jesus's sacrifice can fundamentally alter the world's view and influence individuals to challenge the status quo. May this revelation continue to inspire disciples to embrace the world with a renewed vision and change their habitual patterns towards a new, dignified existence.