10/28/18 A.M. Turning the Tables

Jesus was very careful and deliberate in developing His ministry. He never tried to do everything. He never appeared rushed or pressured by a schedule that was out of control. He was content to move on to new locations even while crowds were anxious for Him to remain. At one point He was willing to wait until a friend had been dead four days before intervening, and then said the delay was so that God would be glorified (John11:4). At every point His actions were determined by His pur pose and His priorities.” Dann Spader

Jesus first public passover put him at odds with the crowd.

Yet, Jesus avoided the appearance of competing with John the Baptist

At one point, Jesus avoided those who were trying to kill Him.

At another time, He offends the Pharisees who picked up rocks to kill Him.

However, unlike the yoke of the sinners and the yoke of the Pharisees Jesus says His yoke is easy.

Jesus starts His first public Passover by turning the tables

John 2:13 NIV

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

How did Jesus act in His first public Passover? Jesus turned the tables the physical and the spiritual.

He went.

He found people selling and exchanging money

John 2:17 He demonstrated zeal for the house of God.

He made a whip and drove all from the temple courts.

What do you think comes first, ambition to follow Christ or ambition to save souls?

Jesus zeal was for His father’s house.

We live in a world where me matters more than we. Recent hurricanes and tsunami’s forced self sufficient people into needy circumstances. The Bible indicates how great a need we truly have. We need spiritually mature believers. We need to be encouraged in our faith.

The local church is not intended to be a market.

market=commerce n. — the activity of providing goods and services involving financial, commercial, and industrial aspects.

to sell v. — to exchange or deliver something for money or its equivalent. transfer or exchange

moneychanger n. — one whose business is to exchange the money of country or sphere for that of another country or sphere.

The Jews asked or some level of proof that Jesus had authority to do what He did. The Jews were thinking the temple building and probably temple authority.

However, the disciples put it together after Jesus resurrection.

Jesus spent time with His disciples

John 3:22 NIV

After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.

What was Jesus main priority? Clearly, Jesus related differently to people. He responded differently to the money changers to His disciples, and also to the Jewish leaders.

Jesus spent time with His disciples.

Do I spend time with disciples in Calvary?

Do you spend time with disciples in Calvary?

Jesus avoided the appearance of competition

John 4:1–4 NIV

Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John—although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now he had to go through Samaria.

What did Jesus avoid and what didn’t he avoid?

Jesus avoided those trying to kill Him.

John 7:1 NIV

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him.

What was Jesus intentional about at this time of His ministry?

Jesus offended the Pharisees

John 8:49–59 NIV

“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

How subtle was Jesus in His dealing with Jewish leaders?

Jesus Deals with His disciples

John 13:1–5 NIV

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

How did Jesus deal with His disciples?

Jesus tone

Matthew 11:29–30 NIV

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”