Lent 3
Exodus 20:1-17
John 2:13-22
You know that 9/10’s of life is all about just showing up. Well, today’s scripture is about that other 1/10th, where showing up just isn’t enough. I think you can tell as you listen to the Hebrew Scripture—Moses wants God’s people to do a lot more than just show up; he’s got a lot of does and don’ts to consider. In the Gospel as well, showing up doesn’t cut it, in fact, it probably would have all been better if the moneychangers and animal salespersons that Jesus encounters hadn’t shown up at all. What we are hearing today is an introduction to a Good News message that points us to the reality that we are called to do more than just show up, and that is a good thing. A good place to begin is by noticing those who show up in the Gospel story. What are the moneychangers and animal sellers doing there in the Temple Temple
It’s a disruptive service as well, and you can imagine the not-so-holy chaos surrounding the Temple
Now, if we take this worship scene and compare it to our own, we’re golden. No one brought an animal of any kind here, and our money is just fine the way it is. So Jesus should be quite pleased with our worship, right?
Except as we sit here in the peace and quiet of worship, how peaceful and quiet is it? I’ve talked about this before; we may not bring animals here but we don’t come alone. We bring an entourage of all the voices and causes and busyness of our lives.
Let’s take a minute to consider that entourage. There is, of course, the voice of practicality, the one that wonders what we are doing here, pointing out all the other worthwhile things we could be doing. We overcame that and got here, but it still won’t quiet down, listing all the things that need to be accomplished today as soon as you quite wasting time here in church. Then there’s the judgmental voices, pointing out that you have some nerve even coming here, and wondering what the other people here would think if they only knew, or turning it around to wonder what in the world those other people were thinking to be here. These are the voices of the world we live in, the world of judgment and competition, where worth is judged by how much money you make, and your accomplishments by the status of the company you keep.
We bring these voices into church because we just can’t help ourselves—these are the voices of the world we live in. It’s the world of the moneychangers and the animal sellers, the practical world where making a living leaves no room for any holy silence. It’s a world where worship makes no sense, because if everything is about how you measure up, what’s the point of worshipping something greater than yourself? Just be sure that there isn’t anything greater! It’s also an empty world—empty of God, to be sure–but also empty with promises. We fall for those promises—that if we can just get that better job, just live in that better neighborhood; if the children can get in the right sports and the right grades, if we get all that, then finally, we will have it made. And then we have all that, only to discover the hollowness of these promises again.
It’s not our church Jesus wants to cleanse, it’s our lives, to drive all the voices and temptations, and rumors out of our lives so that we can see and hear what is really there. Imagine that he does—what would we hear, what would we see of the holy? Without all the noise telling us what matters, might we be able to hear what really does? If we weren’t being told what life is about, could we hear our real calling? And would we want to?
What Jesus wants to toss are all our excuses, the false stories we tell about who we are and why things can’t be any different. The point of this Gospel is that there is more to our lives than showing up. Jesus brings us the Good News of the meaning of our lives, of our true identity and calling as God’s people. Our lives matter because God has created us out of love to show that love. We can be the ones to offer hope, to show compassion and be at peace. We can do this because the Spirit empowers us. When we remember who we are, we are free to be who we are called to be.
This is the message that Jesus brings, and it is also the message that gets him killed because not everyone wants to let go of the excuses and leave the practical world of the moneychangers behind. Now what about us? If we put aside the world of practicalities and limitations, if we allow Jesus to toss out our excuses and judgments, what will be left is the holiness of who we really are. Our world is not empty; it is filled with God’s glory. Our lives are not empty; they are filled with the possibility of God’s inspiration and calling. This is the Good News we can know and live, once we toss out the moneychangers and their world.
Now here are some questions for the week ahead: Where do you see the reality of holiness in your life? How are you inspired to get past the excuses and limitations to live out your true identity as God’s beloved?
Maybe you have some idea of some things Jesus wants to toss out of your life so that you can hear him. Are there excuses you’ve been treasuring that keep you trapped? Let’s share some stories of our own temples and the moneychangers Christ is tossing out…
Now, if you need more questions, here are the others:
Now, if you need more questions, here are the others:
Lenten Questions
Week 3
Instructions: You can use these questions—all, some, or none, as you seek to understand the scriptures. Each Sunday as you come to worship, you will have an opportunity to share your (written) insights, either by offering them symbolically, or writing them so others can read and benefit.
Exodus 20:1-20
1. The 10 Commandments are the beginning of the Covenant God makes with Israel
2. According to this Covenant, God’s people will be recognized by how they honor God and treat each other. How would you describe the connection between prayer and ethics? Can you think of a time when prayer changed your behavior (or visa versa)?
3. The Ten Commandments can be controversial. What role do you think they should have in American society today?
John 2:13-22
1. In Jesus’ day, the Temple
2. Animals were being sold in the temple because they were necessary for worship rituals in that place. As he identifies himself with the temple, Jesus is also claiming that temple worship will end since he will now make true worship possible. We certainly don’t worship using animals and sacrifice, but what do we mean by worship? What is worship’s importance and purpose?
3. How would you describe the connections between worship and the rest of life? Does worship make a difference in the rest of your life? Should there be any connection?
4. The animals in the Temple
5 Responses
We couldn't make it today, so this is really nice. Thanks Meg!
OK, Anonymous, now share some of your ideas!
I will share another thought–the thing that struck me Sunday (while celebrating at the 8:00) is how the need to measure up and succeed really interferes with success because when it's that important that you don't fail, you don't try anything new. So this idea of being free is about being free to make mistakes (loud ones) and thereby grow. It doesn't mean success in the usual meaning of the term; it's a new way to think of success.
How would you describe the connections between worship and the rest of life?
I know that worship is described as a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, but for me it's more about learning. In the course of worship I hope to gain some insight on how to live as one of God's people. With any luck I will remember what I learned during worship and apply it to the rest of my life.
This past Sunday from the sermon I learned more about that cranial noise I mentioned a couple of weeks ago and how to better manage it. From the offertory anthem I was reminded how music can penetrate the noise and replace it with quiet listening and inspiration. The fact that it was sung acapella really helped facilitate the listening.
Ahhh…stop reading my mind! Am finally letting go of that fear and going for it…
Alright, Mr. Anonymous and I will take a look at the readings and contribute. This is so great since life is about to get super crazy for a little while.
What I have learned so far in Lent is that God's forgiveness isn't the problem with guilt. It is that I cannot forgive myself. Is my sin really bigger than God? Isn't that a little grandiose? So Jesus took on the all the sins of the world except for mine! Sounds pretty silly once you look at it differently.