Jesus, Temper in the Temple

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 ..

• Money Changers ... Were these ATMs?
• A Temple Bird Salesman, the ...
• Slinkee and Pet Rocks table, and the 'standard'
• Bible Bobblehead vendors 

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.

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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 

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