This message will explore the second of two types of tears we see in Jesus as He enters Jerusalem, the tears of anger. These tears shows how our God is angered by the ways in which religion at times adds more barriers to those whom God is seeking.
Luke 19:28-42; Matthew 23:37-39
Sermon Outline
““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 19:46)
The Story Then
- Jesus weeps over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44)
- Jesus defends His Father’s House (Luke 19:45-46)
- Jesus persist with His people (Luke 19:47)
The Story Now
- A symbolic redefining of the Temple
- A protest of economic oppression
- A new way of encountering God
Living with Jesus’ Tears of Anger
- Standing up for the excluded
- Moving beyond performative spirituality
- Depending on prayer, rather than grasping at control
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- When have you been moved to anger or tears because someone you love has made difficult or poor decisions?
- This week we continue our sermon series for Lent entitled “The Tears of Jesus.” This week we look at Jesus’ tears of anger in Luke 19:41-47 and Mark 11:12-21. Whether on your own or with others, begin your study in prayer and then read these passages aloud.
- How would you summarize what happens in these portions of text?
- What do you think it would have been like to be part of the crowd while Jesus was clearing the temple?
- Based on what you read in Luke 19:41-44, why does Jesus clear out the temple, what is the connection there?
- Jesus quotes Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 in His proclamation, read these passages, what is the context here, why is it significant that Jesus quotes them?
- The interpretation of this event in Jesus’ life has been used to justify “righteous anger” in the past. How do you interpret this passage’s message around anger and subsequent actions?
- Jesus rebukes, primarily, the temple elite and temple caretakers in this text. But how do we contribute to the Mercy of God being blocked, monetized, or gatekept?
- What is one thing you sense God calling to your attention personally through this week’s study? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and then pray about what you shared. If you are on your own, write it down, pray about it, and consider sharing your thoughts with someone this week.
DIG DEEPER
Exploring Faith:
- As you consider Christianity, what does it mean to you to see Jesus standing against corruption?
- Why do you think God cared then, and cares now about how His “house” is used?
Growing in Faith
- Take time this week to compare and contrast the four different accounts of Jesus Cleansing the Temple in Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-47,John 2:14-16.
- Contemplate what the Biblical authors are trying to tell their original audiences about Christ.
Centered in Faith
- How are you called to stand up for the oppressed, the downtrodden, those being gatekept from the Mercy of God?
- What are the ways you have decentered Jesus as the object of prayer and worship? What is centered instead?