Today's Bible readings:
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 36:5-11
Hebrews 9:11-15
John 12:1-11
It's interesting... if we were using the synoptics, today we would have an angry Jesus clearing the Temple of traders, but we are in John and actually have travelled backwards in time to before Palm Sunday with Jesus at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus in Bethany. Sometimes the lectionary can be annoying!
But what if I take the juxtaposition of Isaiah 42 with the Temple clearance and beyond?
The LORD says, "Here is my servant, whom I strengthen - the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased. I have filled him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to every nation.
He will not shout or raise his voice or make loud speeches in the streets...
When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus went to the Temple and began to drive out all those who were buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the stools of those who sold pigeons, and he would not let anyone carry anything through the Temple courtyards.
"He will not break off a bent reed nor put out a flickering lamp. He will bring lasting justice to all. He will not lose hope or courage; he will establish justice on the earth. Distant lands eagerly wait for his teaching."
"It is written in the Scriptures that God said, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.' But you have turned it into a hideout for thieves!"
God created the heavens and stretched them out; he fashioned the earth and all that lives there; he gave life and breath to all its people. And now the LORD God says to his servant, "I, the LORD, have called you and given you power to see that justice is done on earth. Through you I will make a covenant with all peoples; through you I will bring light to the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind and set free those who sit in dark prisons. I alone am the LORD your God. No other god may share my glory; I will not let idols share my praise. The things I predicted have now come true. Now I will tell you of new things even before they begin to happen."
A teacher of the Law was there who heard the discussion. He saw that Jesus had given the Sadducees a good answer, so he came to him with a question: "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Jesus replied, "The most important one is this: 'Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second most important commandment is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment more important than these two." The teacher of the Law said to Jesus, "Well done, Teacher! It is true, as you say, that only the Lord is God and that there is no other god but he. And you must love God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength; and you must love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is more important to obey these two commandments than to offer on the altar animals and other sacrifices to God." Jesus noticed how wise his answer was, and so he told him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
Isaiah 42:1 - 9 /Mark 11: 15-17; 12: 28-34 GNB
Oh what a mystery - meekness and majesty...
Oh what a mystery - gentleness and anger...
Oh what a mystery - inclusion and challenges...
Oh what a mystery...
Bow down and worship, for such is our God....