Cartoonist/Illustrator - Jeff Larson
Minnesota
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Just one day after Jesus Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem, we find Jesus suffering with more than just a 'Case of the Mondays'. This special Monday he enters the temple where it was reduced from being God's House of Worship to a first century Holy Land Mini Mall  Of course in my Back Pew way of looking at things I have imagined and illustrated a few of these temple violators. There were The Temple ..
All these and more turned the temple into as Jesus called it "a true den of thieves". So I guess frustrated was a true understatement as I will call Jesus state of mind The Temper in the Temple.
After turning over a few tables Jesus leaves the temple not in the mood for encountering a 'fig-free-fig-tree' which he promptly cursed. This was a lesson NOT LOST on his disciples.
Jesus, fully God, fully man (He 2:17) We cannot fathom the mindset of Jesus at this time, but from a human perspective I believe Jesus experienced the elation of his triumphant entry that first Palm Sunday all while knowing that would happen over the next week. While his crucifixion, and resurrection later this week shocked his disciples, this was all a part of The Father's Gospel Plan of Salvation for mankind (see Isaiah 53). note: If I was Isaiah and I just finished writing Isaiah 53.. I would.. DROP THE MIC! So Jesus knowing what this week would bring, the shameful conduct in the Temple, and the fig tree bore no fruit were the realities of this sinful and broken world just one day removed from that first Palm Sunday celebration.  These are normal emotions for any of man or woman since Adam & Eve but deeper and more complex for Jesus who knew no sin while being fully God and fully man. Holy week is one of those times where my silly cartoon images feel out of place as a medium to communicate God's Heart and His truth. My prayer is that these sketches and comments convey the absurdity of man when compared to what is Holy, and NEVER distract from the message of Jesus life, death, and resurrection. May God find us faithful while living in a world of barren fig trees, and churches with tables to be flipped. In all things to God be the Glory. Blessings Jeff 4/6/2020 Honsanna.. achoo!.. bless you!2020 unfortunately will be remembered as the year of the State Mandated Palm Sunday Covid-19 Shutdown. But my wife and I did watch online watch as our church Grace Church in Roseville streamed the April 5th 2020 Church Service. While it was not the same as meeting at the physical church building with our friends and other believers, my wife and I streamed church in the comfort of our living room dressed for comfort while sipping coffee and sharing a muffin.  Good news is.. that first Palm Sunday a pandemic was not part of God's narrative. Instead just as recorded in the Gospels, Jesus triumphant entry traveled the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey with the crowds shouting Hosanna. So here we go.. 2000 years ago Jesus sends a couple of his disciples to get the donkey for his ride by telling the donkey owner... "The Master has need of it." Note: The chosen donkey did take offense to being called 'IT'  HOSANNA! The crowds cheer as Jesus begins his procession down the palm branch laden roads of Jerusalem. Even some tourists from up North could be heard declaring Jesus king in their own special way.. doncha-know. Side Point: It is a sobering irony to realize the crowds this first Palm Sunday shouting HOSANNA, were screaming CRUCIFY HIM!.. just 5 days later.  While most of the crowd this first Palm Sunday were celebrating Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem the Religous leaders in attendance were miffed. I would call them the Palm Sunday Pouters. The were mostly of these crowds honoring Jesus and most likely jealous of Jesus sweet ride. The Donkey Speaks.. Also caught up in the celebratory crowd was the Donkey Jesus rode who foolishly thought the crowds were cheering him! BUT just a couple days later this same donkey was over his embarrassment and back at his stable could be found bragging and signing autographs with the other barnyard folk. A Dumb Donkey's regrets.. And let me not forget to tell you about the donkey who turned down the chance to be that Palm Sunday donkey because it the time coincided with watching Mr. Ed reruns. He later lamented in high drama ‘On the Stable Front’ "a life wasted as a bum when he could have A CONTENDER!"
I pray God finds you blessed this Palm Sunday and that we all slow down to appreciate the significance of this entire Holy Week. From this triumphant entry of Jesus on Sunday, to the dark brutal Crucifixion of Jesus on Friday, and finatlly the unspeakable joy of our Risen Lord. This was all part of God's perfect plan for a fallen world that needs a Savior.  Remember if you don't shout Hosanna, the Rocks may just do it for you.
Blessings, Jeff 4/15/2019 Jesus Temper in the Temple As the final week of Jesus continues, we find Jesus frustrated with more than just a case of the Mondays. This special Monday he enters the temple where it was reduced from being God's House of Worship to a first century Holy Land Mini Mall. Of course in my Back Pew way of looking at things I have imagined and illustrated a few of these temple violators. There were The Temple ..
All these and more turned the temple into as Jesus called it "a true den of thieves". So I guess frustrated was a true understatement as I will call Jesus state of mind The Temper in the Temple.
After turning over a few tables Jesus left the temple not in the mood for encountering a 'fig-free-fig-tree' which he promptly cursed. This was a lesson NOT LOST on his disciples.
It is not fair to assume the mind of Christ, but from my human perspective I imagine Jesus did feel the elation of his triumphant entry that first Palm Sunday. This followed by his frustration of this broken world where on Monday the Temple was shameful, and the fig tree bore no fruit.  Simple emotions for someone like me but deeper and more complex for our Savior as his foretold arrest and crucifixion were only days away.
While my cartoons are a smirky look at very real biblical events my prayer is we remember the Holy Week. Remember and honor the amazing truth of salvation realized between that first Palm Sunday and that first Easter morning. Blessings Jeff |
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4/7/2020
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