Cleanse The Temple

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And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Matthew 21:12-13

One of the great foreshadowing events of Christ was the cleansing of The Temple. Now you might say what is prophetic about this moment? Many things, first we must understand The Temple and its function. At this point the only place God resided on Earth was in the Temple. To make atonement for your sin, you must go to the Temple

However the Temple became corrupted by man. Instead of a gateway to God it became as Jesus said a “Den of Thieves” , they made God a business, does this sound familiar today? But Jesus cleared them out, he cleansed The Temple!

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, Matthew 21:14-15

Now while Jesus may have offended many with his actions, the blind and lame came to him for healing! While there are those who are offended by Jesus, those who answer his call shall be healed! And the people continued to praise him “Hosanna to the Son of David”!

This offended and upset the religious leaders, they wanted to be praised but the people praised the Son of God!

And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? Matthew 21:16

These people didn’t have degrees in theology or years of training with the religious leaders. They had faith in Christ that he is the Messiah, the Son of God! As the famous expression comes from the scripture “From the mouth of babes”

Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. John 2:19

So where are the foreshadows you might ask?

  1. Jesus foretold of the destruction of the Temple
  2. Jesus foretold of his resurrection as his body is the new temple
  3. This is foreshadow of our bodies being the Temple of God (1 Corinthians) and we must cleanse it from sin

 

Eyes Are Opened

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And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. Matthew 20:29-30

Picture this, a great crowd is now following Jesus, imagine being at a large parade and they are all their to see Jesus. There is two blind beggars sitting on the side of the street, screaming at the top of their lungs, Have Mercy On Us, Lord Son of David!

Do you think Jesus would even be able to hear these men, or see them? Do these men think they wont even be noticed in a large multitude? They didn’t care, they cried out to Jesus in faith and desperation

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. Matthew 20:31

The crowd was telling them to shut up already, but the blind men instead of keeping quiet they started shouting even louder! Notice the title they are giving Jesus, Son of David, what does that mean? That means these mean knew Jesus is the Messiah!

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Matthew 20:32-33

Notice even though the large crowd, Jesus heard them and acknowledged them! Also notice Jesus asked them specifically what they wanted and they told him! When were talking with God, remember to be specific and bring your requests and praises to him!

They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Matthew 20:34

I like the translation of the KJV the best, because their awakening is not just a physical one but a spiritual also! When your Born Again, Jesus will open your eyes!

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. Matthew 20:35

Jesus had compassion on them! Jesus didn’t tell them to leave him alone or get lost, we showed his mercy on them. And immediately they received sight! Didn’t happen over years of theological training, it happened immediately! When you become saved, you start to look at the entire world differently

Lastly it says, they followed Jesus. When Jesus calls you and opens your eyes, there is no turning back! Amen!

 

 

Fig Tree

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Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Matthew 21:17-20

What is the symbolism of the fig tree? Well I think to properly understand this we need to look back at Jesus teachings in Matthew 7. Jesus said  “Any tree that doesn’t bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire” (Matthew 7:19) Notice Jesus came to this fig tree looking for some fruit and found none, what was his response? He cursed the fig tree

Jesus also demonstrated his Deity and power over all things. We all know that when we plant a tree it takes a long time for it to grow or die. However instantly with the words spoken by Jesus the tree withered and died. This should be a sharp warning for all of us, as Jesus said those who don’t bear good fruit will be cut down

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. Matthew 21:21

Just as we might feel Jesus crushed us with his revelation of the Fig Tree He empowers us with the revelation of our faith. Jesus said if we have true faith we can whither that fig tree also or we can move mountains!

Its amazing to think and realize, the same power that rose Jesus from the dead is living inside of us! (Romans 8:11) What we learn from this teaching of Jesus:

  1. Be fruitful with good fruit! (Matthew 7)
  2. True faith you can move mountains

The Transfiguration

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And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2

The transfiguration is one of the amazing events in the Bible not many people talk about. First lets notice the location of the transfiguration, throughout the Bible anytime there was a great event with God it usually happened on a mountain. And notice the company Jesus took with him. He didn’t bring just anyone, he brought a few from his inner circle who truly believed in Him

Jesus face shined like the Sun and his clothes were as very bright light, exactly the way he appears in Revelation. Jesus is revealing his true glory and deity even before his resurrection.

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Matthew 17:3

Notice who appears with Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Now if there is no afterlife, if we don’t have a living soul, how are these guys standing with Jesus at this moment? Many false doctrines of Soul Sleep destroyed in a moment.

But what do these prophets represent? We know Moses represents The Law and Elijah represents The Prophets. Jesus is revealing the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets through Him (Matthew 5:17)

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:5

The our Heavenly Father is heard announcing Jesus is the Son of God! His command was very clear “Listen To Him”! Anyone who rejects the Son is rejecting the Father!

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. Matthew 17:6-7

What was the reaction of the disciples? They fell on their faces in fear! But Jesus told them “Get Up and Don’t be Afraid”! Because of Christ redeeming us for our sins, we can come in the presence of the Father without Fear.

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead Matthew 17:8-9

When the disciples finally had the courage to life their heads, who did they see? Only Jesus! Keep your eyes fixed on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Notice this was a prophetic revelation Jesus was sharing with these men.

Not only was Jesus revealing his Deity but also prophesying about his resurrection! This is the Beloved Son of God, Listen To Him! Amen!

The Canaanite Woman

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And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. Matthew 15:22

Not to first understand this story, we need to understand the history and relationship between the Israelites and the Canaanites. Obviously the Canaanites are most famous for when God commanded Israel to wipe them out because of their wickedness. The Canaanites were a pagan centric society that believed in sacrificing their children to false gods among other things

So when a Canaanite woman came to approach the Jewish Messiah, you could probably expect this encounter would not go well. What would make this woman believe she could even approach the Messiah? Obviously because she really needed help and she really believed who Jesus is! She even addressed him as Lord (Master)

But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. Matthew 15:23

The disciples had no mercy for her, they wanted Jesus to send her away. Rebuke this Canaanite Woman, who does she think she is! Doesn’t this sound like the Church today? Rebuke these sinners! Send them all to Hell!

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 15:24

Jesus challenges her faith, I AM the Messiah of Israel! This is what all of Israel believed in the beginning. They believed Jesus was the powerful Messiah that would wipe out all their enemies and make Israel reign from Earth! But they were mistaken!

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. Matthew 15:25-26

Notice her reaction, she came and worshipped Jesus! Look at the humility she demonstrated; this is true repentance! Jesus then responds and calls her a dog! What? But what does she call him? Lord (Master) She is throwing herself at the mercy of the Master!

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Matthew 15:26-27

Again Jesus calls her a dog, he basically says to her he came to save Israel not the Gentiles! She replies shes willing to be a dog if she could even be at the Lords Table! How desperate are you to be in the presence of your Lord? How desperate do you want to be at The Lords table?

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Matthew 15:28

Jesus does the unthinkable, he heals the Canaanite womans daughter because of her great faith! I could only imagine the face of his disciples, as they wanted to throw her out for even approaching Jesus. He praises her for her amazing faith!

This sets the tone for Gods redemption story for humanity, not just for Israel but for everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus! Amen!