Challenging the System

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Challenging the System

• Matthew 1112-33

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Challenging the SystemMatthew 1112-33

• 12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany,
  Jesus felt hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree a
  little way off that was in full leaf, so he went
  over to see if he could find any figs on it. But
  there were only leaves because it was too early
  in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to
  the tree, May no one ever eat your fruit again!
  And the disciples heard him say it. 15 When they
  arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the
  Temple and began to drive out the merchants and
  their customers. He knocked over the tables of
  the money changers and the stalls of those
  selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from
  bringing in merchandise.

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Challenging the SystemMatthew 1112-33

• 17 He taught them, The Scriptures declare, My
  Temple will be called a place of prayer for all
  nations, but you have turned it into a den of
  thieves. 18 When the leading priests and
  teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had
  done, they began planning how to kill him. But
  they were afraid of him because the people were
  so enthusiastic about Jesus teaching. 19 That
  evening Jesus and the disciples left the city.

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Challenging the SystemMatthew 1112-33

• Jesus challenges the sacrificial system
• Understanding Jesus actions
• Intent not to reform but replace
• Area where this occurred
• Not a worship or sacred area

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Challenging the SystemMatthew 1112-33

• Jesus challenges the sacrificial system
• Jesus actions strikes at the heart of the
  operation of the Temple
• The importance of the money changers
• The importance of the animal vendors
• Both were essential to the proper functioning of
  the Temple and the sacrificial system

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Challenging the SystemMatthew 1112-33

• Jesus challenges the sacrificial system
• Understanding Jesus Old Testament References
• A place of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 567)
• Temple a place of restriction for the Gentiles
• A den of thieves (Jeremiah 711)
• Context focuses on lack of righteous living and
  reliance on the Temple for salvation /
  deliverance
• Jesus came to replace the Temple
• Fig tree symbolic of the Temple
• Looked good from a distance but failed to produce
  fruit
• It no longer served its purpose

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Challenging the SystemMatthew 1112-33

• 20 The next morning as they passed by the fig
  tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it was
  withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered what
  Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day
  and exclaimed, Look, Teacher! The fig tree you
  cursed has withered! 22 Then Jesus said to the
  disciples, Have faith in God. 23 I assure you
  that you can say to this mountain, May God lift
  you up and throw you into the sea, and your
  command will be obeyed. All thats required is
  that you really believe and do not doubt in your
  heart. 24 Listen to me! You can pray for
  anything, and if you believe, you will have it.
  25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone
  you are holding a grudge against, so that your
  Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

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Challenging the SystemMatthew 1112-33

• Jesus Gods Object of Faith and Belief for
  Forgiveness
• The proper object of faith
• God not the Temple / sacrificial system
• Jesus will become the object of faith
• Exercised through prayer
• Needs to be understood in context
• Reliance upon God
• The expression of repentance
• Forgiveness a heart issue

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Challenging the SystemMatthew 1112-33

• 27 By this time they had arrived in Jerusalem
  again. As Jesus was walking through the Temple
  area, the leading priests, the teachers of
  religious law, and the other leaders came up to
  him. They demanded, 28 By whose authority did
  you drive out the merchants from the Temple? Who
  gave you such authority? 29 Ill tell who gave
  me authority to do these things if you answer one
  question, Jesus replied. 30 Did Johns baptism
  come from heaven or was it merely human? Answer
  me! 31 They talked it over among themselves. If
  we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we
  didnt believe him. 32 But do we dare say it was
  merely human? For they were afraid that the
  people would start a riot, since everyone thought
  that John was a prophet. 33 So they finally
  replied, We dont know. And Jesus responded,
  Then I wont answer your question either.

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Challenging the SystemMatthew 1112-33

• Jesus responds to the challenge of His authority
• Religious leaders challenge Jesus prophetic
  message
• Hostility / Challenge never produce a direct
  response
• Jesus validates His challenge though John the
  Baptists actions
• John the Baptists Message
• John the Baptists Acceptance
• John the Baptists Authority
• Religious leaders withdraw

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Challenging the SystemMatthew 1112-33

• Jesus challenges the sacrificial system
• Understanding Jesus actions
• Intent not to reform but remove
• Disruption strikes at the heart of the operation
  of the
• Temple
• The importance of the money changers
• The importance of the animal vendors
• Area of incident not area of worship
• Understanding Jesus actions