The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (Luke 19:41-44)
15On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 18The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. (Mark 11:15-18)
For our 40-Day journey this year, we considered the Spiritual Disciplines through the lens of our theme: God’s Glory. During our group Bible study we discussed three very important things about God’s glory: 1) Moses had a desire to see God’s glory; 2) God decided to show Moses His glory but with certain conditions (remember the cleft in the rock); and 3) Jesus reveals God’s glory to us and meets all the necessary conditions. Like the early disciples, we can also see God’s glory by examining Jesus. What a privilege! The Spiritual Disciplines therefore, help us to experience God’s glory inasmuch as they help us to experience Jesus more deeply.
Over the next six days we will spend our time focusing on Jesus and beholding His glory. John 1:14 will be reposted each day as a reminder. In addition, we will discuss passages of scripture from the week leading up to Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
Today we examine two stories about Jesus where He exhibits contrasting emotions, but in both of these stories God’s glory is revealed. Please prayerfully read the passages and answer the question below.
Question:
In the passages above, what aspects of God’s glory does Jesus reveal that really strikes a chord with you?
April 15, 2019 at 10:45 am
God’s Holiness/Majesty strikes a chord with me.
April 16, 2019 at 12:28 am
In Mark 11: 15-18 what amazes me is Jesus’ passion for maintaining the sanctity of the temple. I think it still puts a fear in me that Jesus can get THAT mad when we disrespect and dishonour God by descending into fleshly desires
April 16, 2019 at 12:34 am
There are a few things that strike me about the Luke passage. God’s glory is somewhat displayed by His character, the type of God He is. In the person of Jesus Christ, he weeps for the forth coming destruction of Jerusalem. Although it was a horrific event, we know that His followers escaped the siege due to the prophetic warnings he gave (Luke 21:20-24). This did not prevent Him from mourning for those that rejected Him, those who some men would say were deserving of judgement.
Men have made many “gods” in their own image, but I don’t think any of these make believe gods would be seen crying for those who rejected them, they would rather be revelling in their wrath. Our God has compassion and love like no one else. For me this testifies of His benevolent character and ultimately testifies of His glory.
The accuracy of the prophecy which is clearly fulfilled in 70AD is also a symptom of God’s glory. This would have proven Jesus’s prophetic foresight, which could have only come from His connection to the Father. Keep in mind God’s declaration:
Remember what I accomplished in antiquity! Truly I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me, who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred, who says, ‘My plan will be realized, I will accomplish what I desire,’
Isaiah 46:9-10 NET
Jesus revealed beforehand what had not yet occurred. His precise instructions delivered many from what would have been a horrible death. Those who had their doubts but followed these instructions, maybe on the advice of loved ones, would have become solid believers and maybe even great evangelists.
Fulfilled prophecy is surely a testimony of God’s power and glory.
April 16, 2019 at 2:05 am
The passage in Mark shows God’s glory through Jesus’s uncompromising nature, His steadfast resolve to ensure that which is dedicated to God remains holy.
I read a note in the NET Bible that suggested that the placing of the merchants was likely to be on a temporary basis or at least it was a recently introduced. Since Jesus would have attended the temple every sabbath, it is highly likely that this was the first occasion He saw them, so He addressed the issue immediately.
The righteous anger which He displayed, showed no compromise and bravery that is not often displayed by many people in such a situation. He had no other human backing Him up yet He went against the will of the religious powers who endorsed the merchants. He not only made a statement by rebuking them but followed through to ensure no merchandise passed through the temple courts. Jesus would have known the Pharisees would be deeply offended by this challenge to their authority, but He was steadfast.
The impact His teaching had on the masses, which had these rich and powerful people in fear, is further testament of His glory.
My only question would be, Jesus had authority as God manifest in flesh, He was 100% sure He was doing the Fathers will and had the authority to overrule the Pharisees. However, as believers the scriptures tell us explicitly to be subject to authority:
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment
Romans 13:1-2 NET
Are there exceptions to this rule? Would we haven been disobedient if we reacted as Jesus did to the money changers?
April 16, 2019 at 3:37 am
Anthony – you raise a great question regarding authority. We are certainly not expected to be subject to authority when this results in disobedience to God. For example when Peter and John were commanded by Jewish authorities not to preach the responded by saying, “we must obey God rather than men.” How we oppose authority when the rules violate God’s laws requires prayer and possibly consultation. I believe what Jesus did with those who distorted the role of the temple sets out a clear principle of putting God above earthly institution, but I don’t believe His method is a prescription for every situation where authority opposes God. Also, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of saying authority opposes God when the Bible doesn’t support our position. I am reminded of when the Pharisees attempted to trap Jesus to get Him to say something bad about Caesar but Jesus didn’t oppose authority as they expected Him to.
April 17, 2019 at 3:14 am
Amen, I totally agree. Daniel’s refusal to worship the image of Nebuchadnezzar’s image is another example.
As you suggest, we all need to be careful to find God’s will in a matter. The motive for rebellion can be pride yet the “father of lies” can subtly make our motives appear noble and righteous.
April 16, 2019 at 3:08 am
Aurora, Ambibah and Anthony, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on God’s glory. As I see Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, I am amazed by His grace. The compassion He shows is certainly not what the city deserves. I hear in His compassion echoes of the words God spoke to Moses in the cloud in Exodus 34: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” Then I see Jesus’ angry reaction to the idolatry displayed in the temple and realize that God’s glory is also revealed in wrath. For in Exodus 34 we also read: “Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished”.