Language

Hi Steve, having some issues with Blooger automatically putting message in Dutch when it is sent.  Hope this works as I did NOT view the last post...

Jesus and the temple Pt 2

Just a follow up on my last post when I asked the questions, Who were the thieves and what were they stealing? On Sunday I asked the folks in sunday school and others as well the same questions and these were some of the responses.

The first thoughts that came to my and others mind was that those who were doing the selling of doves and the money changers were the thieves .The money changers would take the pilgrims foreign coinage and exchange it for that which would pay the tribute money to the temple at a poor rate for the pilgrims and make a substantial profit as would the seller of doves. Many unscrupulous fellows would engage in these practises and it could be said that they were stealing from the people and also stealing from God.

Another thought was that the priests were takeing that which was a holy place, the temple courtyard, and debasing it into a common thing. A market place. Thereby stealing the reverence that such a place should have in the hearts and minds of the people.

I'm inclined to think that Jesus had in mind that the priests and the Pharisees were the thieves. Especially from their reaction to what he said. They created a system that was so burdensome and a load so heavy for the common Jew that he could never find rest in it A system that pointed to them as the best example of how to please God. A system of works. In essence they were stealing the opportunity for them to trust God by faith. They were stealing the faith of Abraham and turning it into a works religion. That's what came to my mind as I pondered this question .

Toby

Mountain Meanings

Four of my top ten favorite mountain or hill verses:

For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest...But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, Heb.18,22

In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. Psalm 95:4

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:23

What's your thinking on Mountains?

(everybody re-bookmark this blog site because I changed the url address)

Jesus and the temple

I've been teaching sunday school on the gospel of Mark and we're in chp.11. Jesus has been to the temple the day before and surveyed the situation and enters the temple again and begins to toss out the moneychangers and those who sold things to the pilgrims comeing to offer sacrifices for the feast. He says" My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. " My question for you all is, Who are the thieves and what were/are they stealing?
I've got some thoughts but would love to hear from you guys.

Thanks Toby