Grace in the Tossing of the Temple Tables

This week, we heard the story about Jesus entering into the Temple at Passover and driving out the money changers who were using their God-given religion as a means for self-gain, to take advantage of people. In this, we learned that it is never okay to build our own kingdoms on Christ’s back as individuals or as the church. He is building His kingdom, and that is enough. You can hear the sermon by watching the video below:

On Wednesday, we gathered for our weekly meal. After our youth and children broke into their classes, we talked about questions and thoughts everyone had about the sermon. Here is what I love about Tabletalk on Wednesday nights—we talk about things that would never be mentioned if we never gave people a chance to share their thoughts about the sermon.

For instance, in the sermon, we saw Jesus driving people out of the Temple in righteous indignation. There is a time for harsh action. A church member wisely brought up Matthew 18 to show that, in most cases for us, there is much grace before harsh and decisive action. We show love for our brothers who are in sin by:

1. Going to them in private first so we may win them by grace. If they turn from wickedness, we win our brothers and nothing more needs to be done.
2. If they don’t listen, then we take one or two proper witnesses with us, still trying to win our brothers. If there is repentance, the matter is over.
3. Then, if he does not listen, the matter is brought before the church.

Too many people want to justify their harshness using those instances we see in Scripture, but there is clear instruction for us. Grace is always the priority as we are acting. Christ was right in His action. We can’t judge the whole situation there only knowing this one detail. God is good in giving us direct instruction in Matthew 18 to guard us from making bad decisions too hastily and making enemies of brothers.

Tabletalk on Wednesdays really helps us to fill out the conversation started by the sermon on Sunday mornings and makes the sermon more than a monologue. It makes it a conversation such that iron can sharpen iron. Rare is a church in which even the pastor is being sharpened. Praise God.

See you Sunday as we continue through John’s Gospel!