title="English
Who Does He Think He Is?
Mark 11:1-11, 15-17
We come to the end of our series, Jesus Christ, Life-Changer today. So, I want to conclude our study by asking what it is about another person that might motivate you to change your life. I think there are two main motivators, i.e., 1) respect (or fear) and 2) love (or gratitude). But, the greater of the two is love.
We all know how the person we respect or fear can shape our lives. We’ll stay up late at night to get that paper done that has to be in if we will pass the teacher’s course – or to get that proposal written that the boss has demanded.
But I think that love is even a more powerful motivator than respect or fear. This has been the theme of countless novels and movies. One of the most memorable was captured in the opening scene of the film Princess Bride in which the young farm boy named Wesley was willing to do whatever the beautiful owner’s daughter asked. There was nothing that was too much for her to ask. And he would always answer simply, “As you wish.” When we know a person and love the person, we are ready to have our lives change so that we might please that person.
But when we meet a person we both respect and love, we find someone who can truly change our lives. That’s the kind of person we fear displeasing. That’s also the kind of person we long to please. And, this is precisely the kind of person we meet as we come to Mark 11 when Jesus enters Jerusalem on “Palm Sunday” and makes it clear that he is the king over all kings. He is to be feared. But, he is willing to use his place of authority to serve us even to the point of dying for us. He is one to be loved.
Let’s start by remembering what led into Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
The passion of many, many people in the Israel of Jesus’ day was for the Messiah, the king over all kings, to come and rescue them. There were many, many prophecies and allusions to his coming in their Scriptures. In the years just before Jesus was born, people were writing about the Messiah’s coming, praying for it and longing for it. Then, as we saw in Mark 1, Jesus emerged from a battle in the wilderness with Satan and started calling people to follow him. He did the things that the Messiah King is supposed to do. He taught as no one had ever taught. But, he also did some thing that shocked people. He touched lepers, he blessed prostitutes, he invited a tax collector into his innermost group, and he even spent time with Gentiles.
Then, one day after a long journey toward Jerusalem in which he kept saying he was headed there to die, Jesus chose to make himself known in ways clearer than he ever had before. He set up his entry into Jerusalem in a way that those who had eyes to see should know who he was. In doing so, Jesus went into Israel’s capitol city and directly into the temple. Here’s what I want us to consider today: 1) what Jesus did to prepare for the entry, 2) what he saw when he came as king into his temple, and 3) what we should do when we discover that Jesus is the King.
#1: What Jesus Did to Prepare for his entry to his temple.
Jesus carefully followed the script of Scripture fulfilling its prophecies about the Messiah. He prepared everything carefully so that people would be able to recognize he was the promised savior:
Malachi’s Prophecy:
In Malachi 3:1-4, God had declared through the prophet, “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.
In Mark 1:4-8, we are told that John the Baptist was the messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord. Another prophet named Zechariah had said he would come from the Mount of Olives into the city to bring God’s kingdom and his judgment. What we read about in Mark 11 is that this same Jesus did what the prophets had foretold, i.e., he entered from the east at the Mount of Olives, went into Jerusalem and headed straight for the temple.
Here I will show a map of Jerusalem in Jesus day so people can see the route of Jesus’ triumphal entry.
Can you imagine how thrilled people were as they saw this one who had done countless miracles now doing exactly what they knew their Messianic King would do? He was fulfilling all the prophecies:
Jacob’s Prophecy
In Genesis 49:1, we read, Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come. Then in vv. 10-11, The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongsshall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch…
In Mark 11:2, we read of a colt or donkey that the disciples were to get for Jesus. It was never to have been ridden by any person, which is consistent with an animal that was to be ridden by a person who had a sacred mission. It was appropriate for a king because no one was ever to have ridden a king’s mount. Notice that Jesus personally planned this trip so that these prophecies would be fulfilled and people thereby would know that the Messiah they had awaited was now entering into his temple.
Zechariah’s Prophecy
Zechariah was a prophet who foretold the day that the Lord would come, would judge evil and would make all things right. In Zech. 14:9, he declared that on the day the Lord comes into his kingdom, “he will be king over all the earth. But, one of the most striking things we read in Zechariah’s prophecy is that this king, though mighty and triumphant, would be humble. Hear Zechariah’s words: Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
With this in mind, we see Jesus in v.8 riding from the Mount of Olives on a colt. He had people going before him and behind him shouting, “Hosanna (i.e., save us”). The people were excited. They threw their cloaks on the road as their ancient forefathers had done when a king was being inaugurated. And they shouted in vv. 9-10, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!
This same Jesus, who for so long had told people not to tell others who he was, at lasts was making his identity known in unmistakable ways. Jesus is the Lord who is entering into his temple. Jesus is the one who is bringing in the kingdom of God. Jesus is the one who will be a blessing to all nations.
#2: What Jesus discovered when he came as king into his temple.
He discovered 1) no life and 2) no fruit.
Visit 1: No life – Imagine being a part of that jubilant processional through the gates and into Jerusalem with Jesus. This is what Malachi had said would happen, “The Lord whom you have sought suddenly comes into his temple…” What will await Jesus there? V. 11: Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
Is that what you expected? Jesus entered the temple as king and found… nothing. Does this seem like a downer? I’ve been asking people around the church all week, “Have you ever had a time in your life when there’s something you’ve planned for and anticipated for a long time comes at last and… it’s nothing?” Most people quickly said, “Yes, that’s happened lots of times.” Blake Riboli said, “It’s like high school prom!” And people quickly agreed. Others told stories of looking forward to a big birthday – the 16th or the 21st only to discover that everyone had forgotten it!
Here, the prophecies that had been embedded in their Scriptures for centuries at last are finding fulfillment – and no one is there. There was huge enthusiasm in the day but it all ended with Jesus finding no life in the temple so he simply went back to Bethany. We have to remember that the people were always astonished when they saw what Jesus did and heard what Jesus taught. But, they were not alive to who he was. Perhaps they wondered why he didn’t have an army with him to overthrow the Romans who were keeping them captive. Perhaps they were disappointed that he didn’t hop off the donkey and jump onto a military steed. But, we’re not told. Instead, God’s Word leaves us to meditate on the question of why Jesus went into the place that people should expect to find God – but there was no life there.
Since Paul tells us that we are now the dwelling place of God, when God’s Spirit “comes for a visit” to our church, does he see life here? And, more personally, since you and I are now the place in which the Spirit of God dwells, does he see spiritual life in your heart this morning?
Visit 2: No Fruit – In vv. 15-19, we learn that Jesus returned the next day and went directly into the temple again. This time, he found activity as we see in vv. 15-16: Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.
It may be hard for us in 21st C Southern California to imagine what it would have been like at the temple that day. (Here I will show a drawing of the temple in Jesus’ day.)
This temple was a magnificent facility King Herod had been building for about 20 years. When people went through the temple door, the first thing they hit was the “court of the Gentiles”. This was the only place non-Jews were allowed to go. There was no way to get to the most important parts of the temple without going through it. By Jesus’ time, it had turned into a place of frenetic buying and selling. When Jesus walked through the temple that day of Passover week, he would have seen throngs of people buying and selling animals at countless stalls. Thousands of people flooded into Jerusalem and, at the temple, they bought birds and animals for sacrifice. Historians have estimated that as many as ¼ million sheep were bought and sacrificed each Passover week. It must have felt like the Wall Street trading floors – except you have to add the sounds and smells of birds, animals and sacrifices.
With all that in your mind, now remember that this was the place where the nations were supposed to meet God. In the prophecies, from Abraham through the great prophets Isaiah and Zechariah, the people of Israel were to be a blessing for all people. When God’s savior would come, people from all nations would come to the one living God. In Isaiah 56 we read that when the Lord comes, Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
What was happening in the temple was that the very people who were to be welcomed into God’s family through the Messiah were being hindered. In fact, some of their teachers were saying that when Messiah came, he would drive all Gentiles out of the temple and out of Israel. So what we see is that a lot of religious looking activity was happening in God’s house, but it’s effect was to undermine the mission of God – not to further it. Jesus says that God’s house had become a don of thieves and robbers in v. 17. By that, he almost surely meant in part that there was some unjust profiteering from all the trade going on. But, at least as much, he was saying that the people for whom he had come were being robbed of their experience with God. The impact is that all this seemingly religious activity was hindering the work of God. It was doing more harm than good.
In the verses that surround Jesus throwing the merchants out of the temple, Jesus engaged in a living parable. He cursed a fig tree that should have been bearing the small buds of fruit. It was not yet time for the mature figs (called syke) to be harvested but it was time for the small early figs (called paggim) to be on the tree. The fig tree was an image for Israel’s religious activity. When Jesus saw that there were leaves but no paggim, no buds of fruit, he cursed the tree. Do you understand why? He did it not to curse the people of Israel but to curse the religious activity that looked like real life but really was harming the work of God.
The point is that God had always intended for the Messiah to be the one through whom all people might come to him. God’s temple was always meant to be a house of prayer for all nations. But when the king came into his temple, he found that his temple was keeping people from God – not leading them to God.
Later, the Apostle Paul would comment on this, i.e., that Jesus would build his church and that the church would become the dwelling place of God. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:17-22: Jesus came and preached peace to you who were far away (Gentiles) and peace to those who were near (Jews). For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit… Christ Jesus himself is the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
#3: What we should do when we discover that Jesus is the King we have been made to follow.
We must respond to Jesus as he is – not simply as we want him to be.
Application 1: Ask carefully if you truly see who Jesus is.
The people were ready to show up for events with Jesus – even to cheer and shout about Jesus – as long as they thought he was going to give them what they wanted. They were ready to applaud with him when he did things that astonished them. But Jesus the Messiah had come to give them something much, much better than a short-term political victory or a momentary position of influence. He came as the true king – but he was a king who knew that his people needed most. He knows what you and I need most. We need to have our sins forgiven and to have our lives completely reshaped with God at the center.
Do you see him as the Lord of the universe who has come to die to rescue you? He did it out of love for you. Do you see that the only way for you to discover life – eternal and abundant life – is for you to surrender your life in faith to him?
Application 2: Consciously and intentionally tell Jesus you are ready to obey him.
Jesus is the king! He’s the king over all things in this universe! I said at the beginning that those who change our lives are either those we respect or those we love. Now, I say to you, “Pledge your obedience to him simply because of who he is. Matt Barnes put it this way, “When the king wants figs, we should get him figs!” So, let’s be ready to respond to him in obedience – to ask, “What would please you, Lord Jesus?”
Think of what happens in the entertainment industry. When celebrities say yes to an engagement in a community, they almost always have a “rider”, i.e., a list of requirements they want to have fulfilled. For example, here’s a part of Mariah Carey’s rider: The dressing room temperature has to be 75 degrees exactly; furniture cannot have busy patterns; in the room there must be 8 tall, leafy plants and 2 vases of white roses; 3 bottles of chilled Chardonnay and one bottle of Opus One Cabernet Sauvignon; there must be 12 melon-flavored Gatorade bottles and 12 vanilla protein drinks; 4 very specific aromatherapy candles…
Out of respect or fear, people make sure the requests are met.
I tell you – simply out of respect for the person Jesus is, we need to be ready to say, “Your will be done in my life.” But let me add, “Jesus loves you with an everlasting love.” He saw you need and gave his life for you because he wants to welcome you into the family of the living God. Every day of your life, wake up and say, “My life is no longer my own. I’ve been bought with a price, i.e., the precious blood of the Lord Jesus. So, my Lord, how would you have me live today?” This is Jesus Christ, Life-Changer. He changes the lives of all who trust him and live respecting and loving him.
Application 3: Make sure all church gatherings are places for all people to meet God.
Jesus said, “My house is to be a house of prayer for all people.” That has not changed. On the second day Jesus went into the temple, he saw unending “religious activity”. But, that activity actually was keeping people from God. So, this text forces us to ask soberly: Is there anything about our church, about your class or small group that might keep people away? Is it possible that the king would show up and see religious activity but not Jesus-like welcome to all who are longing to follow? When Jesus is the Lord of a church gathering, that gathering should not exclude people because of ethnicity, status, wealth… A church is not a social club or sports team open only to those qualified by standing in the community or by special competencies. When Jesus Christ reigns, we say to all people, “Come and meet God with us.”
Listen to me carefully here: Those we welcome must surrender to the Lordship of Jesus too. He calls us away from sin and from self-directed ways of living. Jesus never said, “Come to me and don’t worry about changing your life.” No, he asks us sometimes to do things that go against our human inclinations. But he assures us that he did not die to destroy our lives but to give us abundant life. God tells us his ways are not our ways. We who respect him and love him follow him in obedience remembering that he said in John 10:9-10, I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
To His glory,
Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor
Greg Waybright • Copyright 2013, Lake Avenue Church
title="Chinese
今天,我們將結束“耶穌基督——生命的改變者”這個系列的信息。我想對我們的學習進行一下總結,我想問問你,是什麼原因可以讓另一個人激勵你去改變你的生活。我想有兩個因素,1)尊敬(或者畏懼)2)愛(或者感激)。但是,兩者之中,更大的是愛。
我們都知道,我們敬畏的人會深深影響我們的生活。為了完成某位老師的課程,我們會熬夜完成論文,或者趕寫老闆要求的某個方案。
但是我認為,愛比敬畏具有更大的激勵作用。無數的小說和電影都是以這個為主題。最令人難忘的是《公主新娘》。影片裡有個農場少年Wesley,他願意滿足美麗的農場主女兒的任何要求。她並不需要問太多,Wesley總是簡單地回答“如你所願”。當我們認識一個人並且愛這個人,我們會準備改變我們的生活來取悅這個人。
但當我們遇到一個我們又尊敬又愛的人時,我們就找到了一個真的可以改變我們生活的人。我們會擔心這種人不高興,我們會希望這種人高興。在馬可福音11章,我們剛好會遇到這種人。當時耶穌在棕枝節進入耶路撒冷,祂清楚地告訴大家,祂是萬王之王。祂本該被敬畏,但祂希望用祂的權柄來服事我們,甚至為我們去死。祂是應該被愛的。
讓我們來回憶一下是什麼讓耶穌榮入聖城。
在耶穌的時代,很多以色列人在盼望彌賽亞,就是那萬王之王,來拯救他們。聖經中有很多預言和隱喻是有關祂的到來。在耶穌降生以前,人們在撰寫有關彌賽亞到來的事情,在禱告、在盼望祂的到來。在馬可福音1章,耶穌在曠野裡結束了與撒旦的一場較量之後,就開始呼召人們跟隨祂。祂做了只有彌賽亞才能做的事,祂講了一些先前沒有過的教導。但是,祂也做了一些讓人震驚的事情。祂碰觸麻風病人,祂祝福妓女,祂邀請稅吏進入祂的核心團隊,祂甚至花時間和外邦人在一起。
在朝向耶路撒冷的漫長旅途中的一天,祂反復說祂會死。耶穌選擇比以前更清晰地方式讓人們認識祂。祂所安排的進入耶路撒冷的方式,凡是有眼能看見的,就知道祂是誰。用這種方式,耶穌進入以色列的都城,直接進入聖殿。今天我們要思考兩點:1)耶穌為這次進入做了怎樣的準備,2)當祂像王一樣進入聖殿時,祂看到了什麼,3)當我們發現耶穌是王時,我們該做些什麼。
#1: 耶穌為進入祂的聖殿做了怎樣的準備
耶穌仔細地照著聖經實現先知關於彌賽亞的預言。祂仔細地預備每一件事,以便讓人們可以認出祂就是應許的救主:
瑪拉基書的預言:
在瑪拉基書3:1-4,神通過先知宣告, “我要差遣我的使者在我前面預備道路。你們所尋求的主必忽然進入他的殿;立約的使者,就是你們所仰慕的,快要來到。”萬軍之耶和華說。。
在馬可福音1:4-8,我們知道施洗約翰就是為主預備道路的使者。另一位先知撒迦利亞說彌賽亞會從橄欖山進入聖城,並帶來神的國和審判。我們在馬可福音11章看到,耶穌所做的正是先知所預言的,比如,祂從橄欖山東面進入聖城,並且直接進入聖殿。
我給大家看一幅耶穌那個時代耶路撒冷的地圖,讓大家明白耶穌榮入聖城的路線圖。
你能想像,當人們看到這個行了無數神跡的人正在做彌賽亞王要做的事,他們是何等的激動!祂正在實現所有的預言:
雅各的預言
在創世記49:1我們讀到,雅各叫了他的兒子們來,說:“你們都來聚集,我好把你們日後必遇的事告訴你們。”然後在10-11節說,“圭必不離猶大,杖必不離他兩腳之間,直等細羅(就是賜平安者)來到,萬民都必歸順。猶大把小驢拴在葡萄樹上,把驢駒拴在美好的葡萄樹上…”
在馬可福音11:2,我們讀到門徒為耶穌尋找驢駒和驢。它是從來沒有人騎過的,這與一種動物為了某個具有神聖使命的人而預備是相符的。這與王的身份相稱,因為沒有人騎過王的坐騎。請注意,耶穌是親自安排祂的行程的,以使那些預言得以實現,人們由此可以知道他們等待的彌賽亞正在進入聖殿。
撒迦利亞的預言
撒迦利亞是一位預言主有一天將要來、要審判罪惡、要讓一切歸正的先知。在撒迦利亞書14:9,他宣佈,在主進入祂的國的日子,祂將統治全地。但是,在撒迦利亞的預言中,最引人注目的事情是,這個王儘管全能並且得勝,卻很謙卑。請聽看撒迦利亞書9:9:錫安的民哪,應當大大喜樂;耶路撒冷的民哪,應當歡呼。看哪,你的王來到你這裡!他是公義的,並且施行拯救,謙謙和和地騎著驢,就是騎著驢的駒子。
帶著這些,我們看到在第8節中,耶穌從橄欖山乘驢駒而來。祂讓人們在祂的前後呼喊“和散那”(就是“救我們”)。人們非常興奮,他們把衣服鋪在地上,就像他們的祖先在王登基時所做的一樣。在9-10節中,他們呼喊,奉主名來的是應當稱頌的!那將要來的我祖大衛之國是應當稱頌的!高高在上和散那!
正是這個耶穌,先前曾反復告訴人們不要對別人說祂是誰。而此時,卻讓人們以一種不會被誤解的方式知道祂的身份。耶穌是正在進入聖殿的主,耶穌要帶來神的國,耶穌是萬國的祝福。
#2: 當祂像王一樣進入聖殿時,祂看到了什麼
祂發現:1)沒有生命2)沒有果實
來訪 1:沒有生命——想像一下,你也是那興高采烈的隊伍中的一員,與耶穌一起穿過城門進入耶路撒冷。那是瑪拉基書預言要發生的,“你們所尋求的主必忽然進入他的殿…”耶穌在那裡看到了什麼?11節:耶穌進了耶路撒冷,入了聖殿,周圍看了各樣物件。天色已晚,就和十二個門徒出城,往伯大尼去了。
這是你期望的嗎?耶穌像王一樣進入聖殿,卻什麼也沒發現。這是不是令人很沮喪?我整個一周都在問教會裡的人們:“在你的生命中,是否有一次你計畫了一件事,並且非常想要實現,但到最後,你卻發現什麼也沒得到?”多數人很快就回答,“是的,有很多次。”Blake Riboli說,“比如高中的舞會!”人們很快就贊同。還有的人說本來渴望在16日或21日有個大的生日晚會,但卻發現大家都忘記了!
在這兒,聖經數個世紀以來的預言得以實現——沒有人在那兒。那一天,人民懷著極大的熱情,但卻以耶穌在聖殿沒有找到任何生命而收場,然後就回伯大尼了。我們要記得,當人們看到耶穌做的,聽到耶穌所教導的,他們很驚奇。但是,他們對耶穌是誰卻不敏感。他們可能想知道為什麼耶穌沒有帶著一支軍隊,推翻統治他們的羅馬政權。他們可能對耶穌沒有跳下驢駒、跳上戰馬而感到失望。對這些我們不得而知。但是,神的話卻讓我們沉思一個問題:當耶穌進入那個人們希望可以找到神的地方——為什麼那裡卻沒有生命?
既然保羅告訴我們現今我們是神居住的殿,神的靈來"訪"教會的時候,祂有沒有能夠看見什麼生命的跡象呢?更加個人一些,既然你我現今成為神居住的殿,今天早上神有沒有在你的心中看見屬靈的生命?
來訪2:沒有果子-在15-19,我們看到耶穌第二天再次回來,祂徑直往聖殿去。這次,耶穌看見聖殿中的各種活動。我們看15-16節: 耶穌進入聖殿,趕出殿裡做買賣的人,推倒兌換銀錢之人的桌子和賣鴿子之人的凳子,也不許人拿著各樣器皿從殿裡經過。
對於我們生活在21世紀的南加州的人們來說可能難以想像那個時代聖殿的樣子。(這裡我給大家看一張耶穌時代的聖殿圖。)
希律王花了20年時間將聖殿裝飾得莊嚴富麗。人進入聖殿的門,他們碰到的第一道是"外邦人的院子"。這是非猶太人唯一可以進去的地方。要進到聖殿的重要地段非經過此地不可。在耶穌時代,這個地方變成一個熱鬧的交易場所。踰越節這一週,耶穌穿過聖殿的這一天,祂看見蜂擁的人群中無數的攤位在做買賣活物。成千的人湧進耶路撒冷,他們在聖殿裡買各種鳥鴿,動物做獻祭。歷史學家估計1/4萬只羊在踰越節那週買來做為獻祭。感覺就像是華爾街的交易台面-除了加上鳥鴿,動物和犧牲的音響和味道的效果。
說到這一點,要記著這本是整個國家朝見神之地。從亞伯拉罕到以賽亞,沙加利亞,預言中以色列民要成為全人類的祝福。當神的救主降臨之時,各國各族的民都要來到獨一的神面前。讀以賽亞56章,主來之時,於耶和華聯合的外邦人不要說,"耶和華必定將我從他民中分別出來。"我的殿必稱為萬民禱告的殿。
在聖殿中發生的事是,透過過彌賽亞,這些人本來可得以進入神的家卻遇到障礙。事實上,有些夫子教人說當彌賽亞降臨的時候,祂要將所有的外邦人都趕出聖殿,趕出以色列。許多看來帶著宗教意味的活動發生在神的家中,結果是破壞-而不是促進神的使命。耶穌說神的家成了一堆賊和強盜的窩 (17節)由此肯定耶穌指的部分原因是交易的當中有不公的漁利。至少耶穌說,祂為這些人而來,但他們被盜取了對神的經歷。這些看起來帶著宗教意味的活動妨礙了神的工作,所造成的影響是弊大於利。
經文中圍繞著耶穌將做買賣的人趕出聖殿,耶穌用了一個生活寓言。祂詛咒無花果樹,無花果樹本來是可以結小果子的,雖然還不到豐收成熟果子( 叫做 syke) 的時候,但是已經到了果子在樹上初現小果(叫做paggim) 的時候。無花果樹是以色列宗教活動的象徵。當耶穌看見樹上只有葉子,沒有果子,不發沒有果子的芽,祂就詛咒這樹。你知道為什麼嗎?祂這樣做不是詛咒以色列人,乃是詛咒宗教的活動,看起來像是有生命,實質上給神的工作帶來傷害。
要點是,神定意透過這一位彌賽亞,使萬人歸向祂。神的殿永遠是萬族人民禱告的殿。 但是當王來到祂的殿中,發現祂的殿使人掉頭而不是領人來歸向神。
保羅後來論到這點,比如耶穌建立教會使教會成為神的居所。保罗在以弗所書2:17-22節中說:"耶穌傳福音個你們遠處的人,也給那近處的人。因為我們兩下藉著祂被一個聖靈所感,得以進到父面前。。。。。。耶穌基督自己為房腳石。各房靠著祂聯絡得合式,漸漸成為主得聖殿。我們也靠他同被建造,成為神藉著聖靈居住得地方。
#3:當我們發覺耶穌是君王,發覺我們被造的目的就是順服祂時,我們當怎樣做。
我們對耶穌的回應應當與其君王的身份相稱(服從)—而不是我們要祂成為我們要的樣式。
應用1:捫心自問,你是否真的看清耶穌是誰。
人們願意來參加與耶穌有關的活動—甚至向耶穌歡呼—只要他們向耶穌有求必應。當祂行神蹟時,他們也鼓掌響應。但彌賽亞耶穌要給他們的遠遠超出一個短暫的政治勝利或臨時的地位影響。祂是真正的君王—祂是一位明瞭其子民真正需要的君王:我們的罪需要得到赦免,我們的生命需要以神為中心完全重新塑造。
你是否清楚地看見祂是宇宙之主,而祂來就是要為拯救我們而犧牲自己?祂做這一切是出於對你們的愛。你是否看見,找到生命的唯一道路-永生和豐盛的生命—就是將你的生命完全降服在對祂的信心當中。
應用2:決意告訴耶穌你已經預備好要順服祂。
耶穌是君王!祂是一位統治萬有、統治宇宙的君王!在今天講道的開場白,我說到:那些能改變我們生命的人通常是我們所敬重的、或我們所愛的。而我現在告訴你-向耶穌宣告你對祂的順服,因為耶穌是這樣的一位神。 Matt Barnes這樣註釋道,“當君王需要無花果,我們就去取無花果!”讓我們時刻準備著順服—禱告說:“什麼是你喜悅的,我主耶穌?”
在當今的娛樂業,名媛們參與社區的活動時,都會列出一份清單。這是一部份Mariah Carey的清單:更衣室的溫度必須是精確的75度;家具必須時清爽的;房間必須有綠葉植物;還要兩花瓶的白玫瑰、三瓶霞多麗、一瓶Opus 、一瓶赤霞珠、12瓶甜瓜口味的佳得樂、12瓶香草口味的高蛋白飲料、4支具特殊'芬芳療法'的蠟燭。 。 。
無論是出於敬意還是畏懼,人們都要確定這些要求得以滿足。
我要告訴你—僅僅出於對耶穌這個人的敬重,我們都必須隨時準備好說,“願我的生命遵行你的旨意”但讓我再加上一句“耶穌以永恆的愛來愛你。”祂知道你的需要並且已經為你付上了生命的代價—就是要迎接你進入永生神的家庭。讓我們每日醒來時都說,“我的生命已經不僅僅屬於我自己。因為我主耶穌用其寶血將我贖來。所以,我親愛的主,你要我今日怎樣活?”這就是耶穌基督,生命的改變者。祂改變了所有信靠祂的人的生命,過一個敬重祂,愛祂的生活。
應用3:確保教會的聚集成為人們遇見神之地
耶穌說,“我的殿必稱為萬國禱告的殿”。這從來沒有改變過。第二天,耶穌進入聖殿,祂看見無休止的"宗教活動"。而這些活動卻使得人們遠離神。所以,這節經文迫使我們清醒自省:在我們的教會、我們的課堂、我們的小組中,是否有什麼東西使人們遠離神?有沒有可能君王來臨時只看到宗教活動,而缺乏如同耶穌一樣迎接所有渴望跟隨祂的人。當耶穌是教會聚集敬拜的王,任何人都不應當由於種族、地位、財富等等因素而被聚會排斥。教會不是社交俱樂部,也不是什麼運動隊,只有在社區中鼎立或有具備競爭資格的才給予開放。在耶穌掌權的地方,我們要對所有的人說,“來吧,和我們一道去朝見(敬拜)神。”
留心聽我這裡說:我們歡迎的人必須降服於耶穌的主權。祂呼召我們遠離罪,遠離自我中心的生命。耶穌從沒有說過“來跟隨我,不要擔心生命會改變。”不,祂有時要我們去做一些違反人類傾向的事情。但祂應許我們祂來不是要毀壞我們的生命,而是要使我們的生命更豐盛。神告訴我們祂的道路不同於我們的道路。所有敬重祂、愛戴祂的人們都要順服祂、跟隨祂。讓我們牢記約翰福音10:9-10,我就是門。凡從我進來的,必然得救,並且出入得草吃。盜賊來,無非要偷竊,殺害,毀壞。我來了,是要叫羊得生命,並且得的更豐盛。
榮耀歸給神,
格雷格博士\
主任牧師