Tag Archives: temple

What Tables Would Jesus Turn Over Today?

The final 7 days of Jesus’ earthly life is often referred to as Passion Week.  Beginning on Monday, Jesus experienced several different emotions.  While approaching Jerusalem, Jewish broken down in tears, having compassion on lost people, unable to discern what was about to happen.  A few hours later, Jesus is enraged by a temple corrupted by the world, becoming more like a flea market than a house of worship.  The Bible claims Jesus turned over tables, trying to eliminate impure motives from this holy place.

When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ ”                  Luke 19:45-46

According to the Bible, God sees all things.  If today was the beginning of his final week on earth, I wonder if Jesus would respond in a similar manner.  How much compassion would be displayed?  What anger would be demonstrated and where else beside the temple would Jesus target?  Although its just a hunch, I believe Jesus would go into the house of saints, throwing idols off their shelves, trying to purge believers from their worldly ways.  After this visit, Christians must decide for themselves, relying on freewill to determine, “who will I follow?”

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. – Hebrews 4:13

One of the greatest misconceptions about Christianity is that God forces individuals to do this or do that.  Essentially, the Lord gives freedom, like Adam and Eve in the Garden with just one rule to follow.  Although the fall of mankind has complicated life, each day involves choices, Deuteronomy 30:15-16.  According to Moses, good choices lead to life and bad ones to death.  Therefore, if you want to honor God and avoid from having the tables turned over in your own temple, the body, choose the narrow path today, Matthew 7:13-14.

by Jay Mankus

 

The Emotions of Praise

Depending upon what church, temple or mosque you attend, an increasing number of people are reserved, afraid of letting others know what’s inside of them.  Meanwhile, Pharisees still exist in most places of worship, putting on a show for others to see, Matthew 6:5.  Therefore, when you enter a house of praise where emotions are on display as a genuine act of worship, outsiders struggle to accept or embrace this movement.

Music causes unique styles of expression like individuals moved to toe tap, gradually turning their bodies into human tambourines.  Others begin to snap their fingers and clap their hands.  Those with rhythm may follow the beat, dancing and swaying side to side.  When touched by the lyrics, one might lift their hands high, closing their eyes to heighten their focus on God.  Tears often fall as you reach this stage of worship, moving some to fall to their knees or bow at the altar.

While numerous churches are spiritually dead today, void of these emotions of praise, a remnant remains alive and well.  The sons of Korah highlight acts of praise in Psalm 47 including clapping hands, shouts of praise and cries of joy.  The moment the human soul approaches the throne of grace, Hebrews 4:16, with a humble heart, the emotions of praise break out.  This act of worship is what you offer up to God on the Sabbath.  You may bring a tithe or appreciate the biblical message, yet the emotions of praise is where you meet and experience the presence of God.

Have you ever been moved by the Holy Spirit to let your guard down?  Please share a story of your own emotions of praise.

by Jay Mankus

Is God Superstitious?

Back in 2012, the National Football League and Budweiser teamed up for an ad campaign on superstitions.  As the writers became more creative, this slogan took on a local market feel geared toward all 32 NFL cities, “It’s only crazy if it doesn’t work.”  Whether its your favorite location to watch a game like Buffalo Wild Wings, a certain jersey you wear on game day or find a chair or place in your house where your team does the best, these traditions breed superstitions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubUTobPPP3o

This concept is nothing new as Tom Cruise illustrates a similar point in the 1992 film A Few Good Men.  Preparing for the defense of his 2 clients on trial for murder, Lieutenant Kaffee appears to think better when he is holding his baseball bat.  When Demi Moore cleans up after a long strategy session at Kaffee’s home, placing the bat in a closet, Tom Cruise freaks out, warning her to never touch his bat again.  While retrieving  the bat, Cruise has a flash back from the crime scene providing the perfect argument for the case.  One must ask the question; Was it the bat or the location the bat was in?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmuT-907oZ4

This morning while reading Exodus 28, I was left to ponder, “Is God superstitious?”  According to Exodus 28:15, the Lord gave Moses directions to make a special garment for priests.  Whenever a priest had to make an important decision about Israel or on their future, Aaron, Moses’ brother would put on this breastplate to improve his thought process.  In Jesus’ day, another notion developed about touching the tassels worn by rabbis.  According to legend, the tassels attached to a rabbis cloak contained special powers and if touched like the woman in Luke 8:43-48, healing would result.  Knowing this mindset, Jesus wanted to make sure this woman knew that it wasn’t his cloak, it was her faith that brought healing.

Despite this information, human beings are extremely superstitious.  I fell prey to this while playing professional golf.  I noticed that whenever I wore certain shirts, I played really good or horrible causing me to believe it was the lucky or unlucky shirt that dictated how I played.  Even today, I’m embarrassed to say that I may not wear a shirt to  church, sit in a certain place or go watch a game where failure and losses have occurred in the past.  When you want something to happen this badly, its probably not a good thing.

As for the question is God superstitious, I believe the Lord embraces obedience, order and special places.  Jesus found God’s voice easier to hear in a quiet place, free from earthly distractions, Mark 1:35.  Although some individuals may appear lucky on the surface, maintaining blessings from God is dependent upon obedience, Deuteronomy 28:1-2.  Finally, as I study the book of Exodus, I am beginning the realize God’s sense of order and purpose the ark of the covenant, tabernacle, temple and articles which enhance worship.  In the end, God is not superstitious, He is simply supernatural!

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section of my blog.

by Jay Mankus

Exchanging Fear With Joy

In Luke 2:8-9, an ordinary group of people have a supernatural encounter with angelic beings.  These blue collar workers. shepherds in a field, were interrupted from their daily responsibility of overseeing their master’s sheep.  As bright lights shined on their face, each was gripped with fear, paralyzing their bodies as each dropped to their knees trying to protect their eyes the glory of the Lord.

Noticing their response, the angel sent by God brings a message of hope to a dark night in verses 10-12.  According to Luke 2:13, a great company of heavenly hosts appear.  The Greek word Luke chooses is stratus, referring to layers and layers of angels in the skies.  This event doesn’t happen at church or in temple, rather God celebrates Jesus’ birth out in the open.  Somewhere in between Luke 2:9 and Luke 2:14, the shepherds exchange their fear with joy as the angel sang praises to God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94whV_gEk5g

Unfortunately, this simple story has been neglected, overlooked due to modern practices of this holiday.  Christmas is not about exchanging gifts, receiving items that you either don’t need or have too much of.  Rather, Christmas is spiritual practice of exchanging your earthly fears with the joy of Jesus entering the world.  Romans 5:6-8 highlights the true meaning of Jesus’ birth, coming to earth and dying as a perfect sacrifice so that the fear of death is eliminated.  May the promise of John 3:16 transform for you the purpose and meaning of Jesus on this Christmas Day.

by Jay Mankus

Are You Sure About That?

Whether its an April Fool’s joke or a student trying to pull a prank on one of their teacher’s, its important to double and triple check your information before informing others.  Like the internet picture of a 90 foot snake 2 years ago, those who believed this story were quickly disappointed.  Maybe this is why so many in our culture struggle to accept the testimonies about Jesus in the Bible.  Hoping not to be deceived, a typical reply is, “are you sure about it?”

After reading books such as The Bible as History, The Case for Christ and the entire Bible, I’m more confident than ever about this evidence.  Yeah, stories of a burning bush, talking donkey and light that spoke aren’t every day occurrences.  Throw in a guy walking on water, calming storms and raising the dead, skepticism sets in, unable to rationalize the impossible.  However, as archeologists uncover chariots on the bottom of the Red Sea, find a giant boat in the middle of the  mountains in Turkey and artifacts that proved Jesus lived during the first century, maybe this isn’t as far fetched as once thought.

One thing is certain, people are going to believe what they want to believe.  Each religion will emphasize, interpret and slant information in their favor.  Meanwhile, each church, mosque and temple will de-emphasize certain facts to lean others toward their particular worldview.  In the end, I can’t force anyone to believe what I do.  All I can do is present angles, details and elements that might one day lead someone to say, “I am sure about that!”

by Jay Mankus