Jesus Cleanses the Temple
If you look at how our modern society views Jesus, you’d think He was a quiet and shy man that wanted to be everyone’s friend. But when you read about Jesus in the Bible, you see He is bold, outspoken, and radical as well as compassionate, meek, and kind. This week Chris is teaching from Matthew 21: 12-13 where Jesus cleanses the temple. We’ll learn why Jesus was so angry with the business going on in the courts. And it’s not as simple as some have made it out to be—there needed to be buying and selling! It was the corruption of those in power.
There is injustice everywhere we turn through the abuse of power. And when we see Jesus literally flipping the tables of those trying to abuse the poorest, the most vulnerable, and the foreigner in the temple, we see the love of God! We see that love through His justice.
Sketches of Jewish Social Life
by Dr. Alfred Edersheim
This outstanding work will transport you back to Bible times for detailed glimpses into Jewish life. More than 50 carefully selected illustrations, maps, photos, and drawings will aid you. This classic study of the cultural and social world of Jesus and his apostles has earned a place on countless shelves for more than a century, and Alfred Edersheim’s widely acclaimed work on the people, the land, the history, and the religion of Jesus continues to be invaluable for students of Scripture.
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The Corruption of Power
Chris then takes us to James 2 where there is a calling out of injustice in the church. James reminds Jewish believers that were now part of the Church that the Gospel of Jesus makes a level playing field for everyone—rich and poor. That’s what is so radical about Christianity, it is for everyone who believes! And we need to be checking ourselves to make sure we are not allowing the corruption of power in our own lives.
Apples of Gold
Because of unrest in Jerusalem, soldiers must patrol day and night. As a soldier Zvi was working the night shift patrolling and a group of young men in robes were walking down the street. Zvi stopped them and asked where they were going. They were students, headed to pray at the Western Wall. As Zvi engaged in what they believed, He was able to share how he believed the Messiah had already come and was coming again. Listen and find out how these students responded.
Zvi’s story is available in Elwood McQuaid’s book, “Zvi: The Miraculous Story of Triumph over the Holocaust,” available at our online store.
More stories from Zvi are also available in his book, “The Best of Zvi,” available at our online store.
Music
The Friends of Israel Today and Apples of Gold theme music was composed and performed by Jeremy Strong.