Sermon Tone Analysis

The Son of David Heals on the Ascent (Healing)

Q: What happens when our worship ceases to accomplish its purpose?

What happens when our worship mostly serves us, rather than providing space and opportunity for people to meet and encounter the living God?

Context: On the road to Jerusalem, now we arrive: Messianic secret is over

Main Idea: Jesus upsets our expectations: He is sovereign Lord, and humble messiah, worthy of our praise.

Preview: Jesus Cares for those on the fringe, Jesus is our humble messiah, Jesus receives praise, Jesus removes obstacles to worship, and Jesus restores the purpose and goal of worship (prayer and wholeness), and that no matter how many good works Jesus’ opponents observe, they’ll still oppose him.

Text:

(vv.

20:29-34)

Chiasm: Healing, Prophecy fulfillment, Jesus is praised, Prophecy fulfillment, and Healing, the conclusion of this chiasm is Jesus’ admonishment (rejection) by the temple establishment (religious leaders)

Main Point 1: Jesus cares for those on the fringe of society

2nd Temple (1st Century AD) Jerusalem

2nd Temple (1st Century AD) Jerusalem

Jesus’ Possible Route Into Jerusalem

Elevation, Jesus on the Ascent.

Temple Mount Comparison

Temple Mount Comparison 2

Temple Mount Comparison 3

Jesus is Messiah for all

;

Jesus Fulfills Prophecy on the Ascent (Prophecy)

(vv.

21:1-7)

Main Point 2: Jesus is the Humble Servant of YHWH

Genesis 49;10-11

The Crowd Praises Jesus on the Ascent (Praise)

(vv.

21:8-11)

Main Point 3: Recognize Messiah Jesus, Pray for the Coming of His Kingdom (and patiently wait for that coming).

Hallel ()

“Hosanna” A cry for the kingdom to arrive

Herod’s temple, digital diagram

Mount of Olives and Temple Mount, Aerial View, Digital Overlay, First Century Model

Mount of Olives and Temple Mount, Aerial View (Today)

“Golden Gate” from the Byzantine Period (ca.

400-800 AD) Opened and closed repeatedly from 800-1541, when it was filled in by Muslim conqueror Suleiman (ca.

1541 AD), and stayed that way.

Golden Gate

Golden Gate

Top of the Arch of the Second Temple (1st Century) Golden Gate

“Who is this?”

Jesus Cleanses the Temple (Prophecy)

(vv.

21:12-13)

Main Point 4: Jesus cleans house, Let your life point people toward Jesus, not toward yourself.

Gentile Court: Southeast Corner of temple complex

“Who is this?”

Isaiah 56:7

Jeremiah

A Prophet, and Messianic King

Jesus was not opposed to the fact of these businesses but the place: the temple was not where such activity should occur.

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The temple markets may have been set up by Caiaphas about AD 30 in competition with others, and this was controversial, thought by many to be a desecration of the temple (bringing idolatrous coins into it) and a scandal because it was purely mercenary.

Doves were by far the most frequently purchased items, as they were the sacrifice of the poor (Lev 12:8, 14:21–22; cf.

Luke 2:22–24), and there is rabbinic evidence that exorbitant prices were often charged (m.

Ker.

1:7; m.

Pesaḥ 57a).

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the leaders have turned the temple into a mafia-like stronghold

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Jesus proclaims judgment for the temple cult, and restores the temple to the way that it should function: A place of interacting with God, that is prayer, worship and [the result] healing.

Salvation and acceptance of the blemished and Gentiles ()

Jesus Heals in the Temple (Healing)

(v.

21:14)

Main Point 5: When we clean up sin that hinders worship, then we can participate with God in his work of healing.

The Chief Priests and Scribes Challenge Jesus in the Temple (Conclusion)

(vv.

21:15-17)

Main Point 6: Jesus wants us to assess our worship, and correct ourselves if we’re wrong.

So What

Main Idea: Jesus upsets our expectations: He is sovereign Lord, and humble messiah, worthy of our praise.

Pt. 1: Whereas we would spend most of our time investing in people who are desireable, and who would love us back, Jesus healed the broken and people on the fringes.

Pt. 2: Whereas we desire a mighty leader, capable of defeating our enemies, Jesus humbled himself and submitted to death that we might live.

Pt. 3: Whereas we would build our own kingdoms, Jesus gives us the example of a servant.

Let us follow his example, as his servants, and yearn for his kingdom to come.

Pt. 4: When our lives (and our worship) get off track, let us return to Jesus, and clean house.

Pt. 5: Once we clean up our lives, we can then reach out to others who desperately need Jesus.

We cannot join Jesus on mission if we remain in opposition to him and his will.

We cannot serve two masters.

Pt. 6: When we discover that Jesus does not fit our mold, that he doesn’t fulfill our expectations, and that we cannot control him like a magic genie, then we can submit to him as he truly is, sovereign lord, worthy of praise.

Let us assess our lives, and our worship, and stop trying to put Jesus in a box.

Main Point 1: Jesus cares for those on the fringe of society

Main Point 2: Jesus is the Humble Servant of YHWH

Main Point 3: Recognize Messiah Jesus, Pray for the Coming of His Kingdom (and patiently wait for that coming).

Main Point 4: Jesus cleans house, Let your life point people toward Jesus, not toward yourself.

Main Point 5: When we clean up sin that hinders worship, then we can participate with God in his work of healing.

Main Point 6: Jesus wants us to assess our worship, and correct ourselves if we’re wrong.

Christians all too often think of Jesus in comfortable categories as their friend and helper and forget that he must be worshiped as Savior and Lord of all.

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