The New and the Perfect - February 7, 2021

by Pastor Chuck Ryan

The New and Perfect

 

Text: Mark 11:15-19

Thesis: Jesus came and replaced the old sacrificial system with Himself.

 

1. The temple was the main place of worship. (vs15-17)
2. What Jesus saw upon entering the temple caused him to have great moral indignation.
3. Jesus began physically to destroy the corrupt activities in the temple.
4. There were three violations of the temple that Jesus encountered.
5. Jesus objected to the buying and selling because it was being held in the court of the Gentiles.

“The place where the money changers (15) and those who sold doves plied their trade was called the Mountain of the House or the Court of the Gentiles. It was a spacious courtyard surrounding the Temple proper and open to the Gentiles as well as to Jews.” (BBC, page 367, A.E. Sanner)

• Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” (Acts 10:34-35)

2. Jesus opposed that the temple had become the central treasury practicing corrupt methods and influenced by powerful corrupt leaders such as Herod the Great.
3. What started off as a compassionate ministry by providing animals without spot or blemish for weary travelers that came to Jerusalem to worship, became a financial racketeering event.
4. The temple was no longer a place of prayer. (Read vs 17)
5. It was not a place where one could find peace for their soul by communing with God.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)

 

1. The clearing of the temple by Jesus would culminate in the crucifixion of Jesus.

     (vs 18-19)

1. Jesus began a process that he would complete in His death and resurrection.
2. Jesus, so to speak, “pulled the trigger” on God’s salvation plan in this radical event. (Read vs 18a)

                   "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17)

1. Those who sought to kill Jesus had no idea that the temple would be destroyed, and Jesus would replace the old sacrificial system.
2. Jesus began the destruction of the old system on that day. The blood of animals would no longer be used for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus would become the “Sacrificial Lamb” who brings salvation to the world.

“but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. (Jesus shed His blood on the cross) The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Hebrews 9:12-14)

2. The physical Temple in Jerusalem was completed in AD 63 but was completely destroyed in AD 70.

                      “As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings! “Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down." (Mark 13:1-2)

1. Never put your hope in things that are seen!

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (1 Cor. 4:18)