Reading Between the Lines: Christ Cleanses the Temple

This year I have been called to teach the 11 year olds in Primary. We are doing the New Testament.
Each week I keep telling them to really look at the scriptures that they are reading and to “Look between the lines” for more of the story.
Last week we talked about the 1st cleansing of the Temple.

John 3: 13 ¶And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;

16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.

I am sure that Christ had been coming to the temple at Passover His whole life. He had seen these people and what they did.
Once he was of age and His ministry had begun He took action. This was no out of control rage. As the class said, No HULK SMASH!!! This was thought out and maybe even planned.
 He took the time to make a scourge before He started to drive them out.
Always in control, He poured out the money and tipped over tables. He knew what He was doing as evidenced by verse 16 where He paused at the table of cages full of doves, handing them to the owners and asking them to take them away. Not wanting to injury the helpless birds I am sure.
I asked the class why was He so mad, one of the reasons brought up was the mess and smell that would be present in the Temple from the sheep and oxen.
How do we feel when we see any small bit of trash on Temple Grounds?
I also find it interesting that in the telling of the 2nd cleansing at the end of His ministry, there is no mention of oxen or sheep. Makes me wonder.
Think of the reaction that the money changers had. Especially at the 2nd cleansing. I am sure they quickly grabbed their items and exited stage right.
One last thought, at the first cleansing He called it His Fathers House, at the 2nd it was His House.

Testimony

Over the last few years I have come to realize that my testimony is made up of three parts.

Things I know

Things I believe

Things I hope for

Different points of doctrine have moved over time from Hope to belief to knowing, Tithing is a great example of that. No matter what you say or what evidence you present to me will ever change my mind that I know that the Law of Tithing works and is one thing I can do 100%.

Power of Fasting or Priesthood Blessings are also items that have moved through the steps and reside firmly in the Knowing level.

Some points cover all 3.

Example: I know that it takes an entire Ward and everyone fulfilling their calling to make the Ward work well.  I know God will help you in your calling no matter what it is being called as Bishop or the person in charge of raising the flag every week. Each is important and need by someone in the Ward Family, and if you fail to do your calling to your fullest’ s or if you magnify it, someone else will be affected.

I believe that weather you are called by inspiration or desperation, once your name is read over the pulpit and the Ward sustains you, and then it is as if God Himself gave you that calling and He will back you up on it as well as ask about how you fulfilled it.

I hope that when I have my last interview or PPI once I die that my magnifying my callings now, no matter what they are, will help show that I understand serving in the Kingdom.

 I know that the most important calling I will ever have in this life are Husband, Father, Son, brother.

I believe when I have that last interview that the first questions will be about each of these roles and the people that they affect.

I know that I will be asked about each of my relationships and how I helped the other person. Not how I felt or what was done to me, but what I did.

I believe that it won’t be asked what position I attained in the Church, but more along the lines of, “I see during this date to this date that you were called to teach the 11 year olds in Primary. Tell about each one of them and how you helped them to feel their Savior’s love.” Then “I see you were in the Bishopric during this time, tell me what you were over and how you helped the members of your Ward, and how you were a support to your Bishop.”

I hope that my answers will be satisfactory to myself on these questions. I think now in my life they will be.

 

I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this.