Not So "Sweet Jesus"

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. (John 2:13-25, NIV)

REFLECTIONS:

When we look at the vast majority of the paintings of Jesus, especially those done centuries ago, He is portrayed as a very meek, quiet, unassuming person.  He’s typically pictured in flowing robes with this cherubic face full of passion and tenderness.  It’s certainly easy to understand why the artists painted Him this way, but this passage shows the other side of Jesus’ personality.  To put this into modern-day context, let me tell you about a recent trip I made to San Diego.  I flew out there to visit family, and one afternoon we went to a street-fair where there was live music, and probably 150 booths of people selling stuff like T-shirts, arts and crafts, kitchen knives, and such.  I’m sure you been to these types of events, lots of fun and lots of cool stuff to see and purchase (like a really cool potato peeler that peels and slices and makes julienne strips of carrots; and only $19.95!)  Sorry… I digress.  Anyway, I imagine this was very similar to what was going on in the temple in Jerusalem.  Now, can you visualize some guy coming into this street fair with a whip, turning over all the tables, and driving the merchants out of there?  This is what Jesus did!!  His passion for His Father’s house was such that He, to put it into the modern parlance, went berserk. 

This is quite a different person than we see in paintings by the “old masters,” isn’t it?  I can see why “tough guys” like Peter and Simon the Zealot, were attracted to Jesus.  Certainly they followed Him because of His teaching and the miracles He performed, but they could also respect Him for His passion and ability to physically confront others when needed, a real man’s-man.  I just wonder if, when Peter pulled his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane and wacked off some guy’s ear, he wasn’t thinking back to this event?  I wonder if he thought Jesus would jump into the fray, grab his scourge, and do battle alongside him, just like in the temple?

POINT OF ACTION:

It’s easy and often convenient to picture the meek and humble Jesus; the Savior who loves us, sacrificed His life for us, and humbled Himself in His death on the cross.  But we need to remember that there is another side to Jesus.  Look at this description of Him in Revelation 19:

“His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems…From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty…”

Quite a different picture, eh?  Both of these “pictures” of Jesus are accurate; forget one and you will have a distorted view of the real Jesus! Do you need a Savior who can embrace and love you?  Who can sympathize with your pain and suffering, and comfort you in times of trial?  Or do you need a Savior who can stand beside you, scourge in hand, to be of help in fighting the forces of darkness we all battle?  Well, Jesus is who you need no matter what your need may be!!

WHO AM I?

I’m Alan Wassel.  OHMYGOSH, I’m Alan Wassel.  (Hence the shock and dismay in the photo below)