Christ’s Temple Cleansing: What is the Connection Between the Cursed Fig Tree and the Temple Cleansing?

Valentin de Boulogne (1591-1632) Christ Driving the Money Changers out of the Temple The Gospel of Mark tells about Jesus cursing a fig tree for being without any fruits to eat. He then goes into the temple and expels the money changers but as He departed from the temple, the disciples noticed that the fig … Continue reading Christ’s Temple Cleansing: What is the Connection Between the Cursed Fig Tree and the Temple Cleansing?

Christ’s Temple Cleansing: Why Did Jesus Identify Himself as the Temple?

Christ driving moneychangers from temple by Theodoor Rombouts (1597–1637) Dry core rot in an apple is really something disgusting. The outside of the fruit looks delectable, but slice it in half and center has a brown fungal rot. Appearances are deceptive. A second temple in Jerusalem had been constructed in the days of Ezra, Haggai, … Continue reading Christ’s Temple Cleansing: Why Did Jesus Identify Himself as the Temple?

Just How Many Times Did Jesus Cleanse the Temple?

Scarsellino (1550-1620) "Driving the Merchants from the Temple" The four Gospels tell of Jesus Christ clearing out moneychangers from the temple in Jerusalem. The Synoptic Gospels1 set the temple cleansing after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem at the end of His public ministry (Matt. 21:1-27; Mk. 11:1-11, 15-19; Lk. 19:28-48). However, the Gospel of John … Continue reading Just How Many Times Did Jesus Cleanse the Temple?

God’s Steadfast Love Endures Forever

The church I attend has recently began regathering together for corporate worship after the hiatus due to the COVID-19 shutdown in the greater Charlotte area. Although we have to maintain social distancing (wear masks and sit three seats apart with every other row empty), it is still wonderful to unite with the body of Christ … Continue reading God’s Steadfast Love Endures Forever

Did Jesus Teach Us to Hate Kin and Self?

Jesus Christ said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Lk. 14:26).1 At first this saying is perplexing. How could Jesus tell us to hate? Does not this contradict everything … Continue reading Did Jesus Teach Us to Hate Kin and Self?