The Gay/Lesbian Issue...within the Christian Faith: "Are we facing a "Worship Disorder"...part 4

I then looked at Sister Diane and said: "Well, I am not sure what you mean. I really don't attend church anymore, yet I don't go around "bashing" those who do. You have to understand, I am really not a religious type of guy...I just struggle through life...like everyone else."

 Sister Diane then responded: "Good! Because I am a nun... doesn't mean I am religious either. What it does mean...or should... is...I have dedicated myself to Christ Jesus. What I am asking you is: Have you prayed and asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and allow Him to enter your heart and life?"
 I thought about what she had said and replied: "Well, if you put it like that...I would have to say "No"...I haven't done anything like that. Honestly, I think of God more like someone who keeps a "scorecard", and if the bad outweighs the good...you are in some serious trouble. What would be the purpose of doing what you are saying if you don't "walk the walk" anyway?"
 Then, Sister Diane spoke and said: "Have you ever considered the fact...we can never "walk the walk"?...at least not on our own merits. It is one of the biggest lies within the very framework of the Christian church. Otherwise, if you could...why would have Jesus had to come...and die for us? The Truth is...we cannot. The only way we can is when we recognize we are destined to be sinners...all of our lives...and no matter how hard we try...we are still sinful. The only way out...is to ask God to forgive us of our sins....and allow Jesus to come into our hearts...first as our Savior...and as time goes on...our Lord."

 Then I said to her: "So...what do you think I can do?" She replied: "Let's pray...and change that...right now."
 So, she grabbed my hands, asked me to look directly at the moon (which was so clear that night), and requested I pray the words as she spoke them. Her only other request...I have to be serious about it...have some meaning to it when I pray with her, and trust it really works. 
  And that is exactly what happened...I prayed with Sister Diane and asked God to forgive me of my sin...and to come into my heart and life...and make His Home...in me.

  That night there were 7 of us that experienced this "prayer of transformation", and then the 3 nuns left, walking down the street...singing some song I was unfamiliar with...then. Later, I recognized that song that included these words: "Glory and Praise to our God...who alone gives Light to our days, many are the Blessings they bear...to those who trust in His Name....".

 Since that day, many of us has lost contact with one another, one I know has passed away. Yet, since that night on July 7th, 1971....7 lives were changed. For some, they went ahead...launched careers, had families, and carved their futures. Others did not really do anything about this new Friend, and there were some like myself, faced a future marred in divorce and some failures, leaving this Friend Sister Diane had so passionately spoke and introduced me to.

 One of the "Magnificent 7" (lol)...was a guy named was Chris...actually he preferred "Christopher", He was gay.....

The Gay/Lesbian Issue within the Christian Faith..."Are we facing a "Worship Disorder?"...part 3

As I was standing near a small bonfire, this Hispanic nun approached me and asked me: "Isn't the moon clear and beautiful this evening?"....

 As I turned and looked at her, I nodded my head agreeing to the question she had just asked me. Then, almost without hesitation she began to mention how empty life seems to be without knowing the One who created all these beautiful scenes we see.
 I again agreed to what she was saying and thought to myself..."How did she know I was feeling a little "empty" at that moment." I mean, I kind of had an idea where she was going with all this (she is a nun for cryin' outloud)...yet it was a little perplexing to me she happened to be here..at a party...standing next to me near a bonfire...at a little after 9 in the evening...and being concerned about me. 

 And the thing is...she made no apologies for the profession she had chosen.

 She then said to me: "Look, I am going to shoot it straight with you...I believe in my own heart God has sent me to...you...right now...right where we are at."
 At the time there was a popular musical group called "Santana", and as our conversation began to progress, there was a song playing on a radio we had there...and the song was "Black Magic Woman". Yea...I seemed to relate to that song at the moment...(lol)...especially the line, "...Got your spell on me Baby...".

 Yet, that wasn't it at all. She was definitely not a "Black Magic Woman"...although she was dressed in black (lol)...and she most definitely had no "spell". What she did have...was Jesus in her heart and she was sharing His love for her...and giving His love to... me.
 Of course, at the moment I hadn't figured all that out...in fact...it took a while to put that altogether.
 Anyway, this "Sister Diane" began to share how even though she was Roman Catholic, it really wasn't the issue when it came to everyday life itself. The real issue she said was: "Do you know Him? Do you believe in a God that would send His Son to die...for you?"
 Ok...what was meant to be a party where I could get buzzed, be with my friends, and forget about the things in life going on (Viet Nam conflict and the thought of being drafted, going to college, playing baseball, and of course...girls), had been "rudely crashed" by these 3 nuns who were now asking such sobering questions. 

 Yet, as the phrase goes: "I guess she caught me...at the right time."

 So, I responded: "Sure, I grew up in church (Presbyterian for the most part), and I believe in all that "stuff".
 Then...she uttered the "bombshell question": "So...you have given to Him your heart and soul?"
 I looked at her...and said: "Well, I guess...I think I was baptized when I was a baby, went to Sunday School when I was a kid, and never really did anything real bad...like kill someone or steal..(well, for the most part). There was one time our baseball team didn't have much sponsorship...so we stole all the opposing team's bats, balls, and equipment. Other than that, I thought I was pretty "clean", and besides, God understood the "Robin Hood" mentality...rob from the rich to give to the poor thing...right? Oh, I forgot...we did steal some wood from "old man" Gomez tonight to have this party. He has a bunch of it on his front porch...he would never miss it." Other things started to pop up in my mind in reference to stealing...but I thought I had better shut-up before I get myself in trouble with this...nun sent by...God? Whatever...
 Sister Diane then said, " You didn't answer my question?"

  So, then I looked straight at her and said, "Tell me again..who are you, and why did you come to OUR party uninvited?"
 She smiled...and "got in my face" and said: " Oh, I was invited alright...you just didn't know it!"
 It was at that moment I made a "note to self": Do not make a nun angry!

 So I said: "Cool (actually I said "Far Out"...but that phrase is long gone in the corridors of history)...besides...she didn't back off from looking at me...directly in the eyes. Yet, there was something in her eyes...I had never seen. No, I wasn't falling in love with her...it was different...like... I know this will sound weird...but it was like...someone else was in her eyes. And no...it wasn't booze or drugs...I hadn't even started to "party" yet.  I will never...never forget that!

OK...what does all this have to do with Gays and Lesbians?...give me some time...

What kind of God do we serve?...Psalm 91: 1-3

Psalm 91 is one of those psalms that has no mention of who the author might be. Because of it's style of writing, many Bible scholars think it may have been a prayer of Moses...very similar to Psalms 90....

 One thing we do know....Jesus knew this Psalm...and so did Satan. 

 When Jesus was being tempted in the desert by Satan, Satan used a verse from Psalm 91 to try and tempt Jesus. Satan had put Jesus at the highest part of the roof of the Temple and tried to get Jesus to jump off because "the angels would not let His foot hit against the stone" ( verse 11). Jesus of course did not fall for it (no...I didn't mean for this to be a pun...lol), and quoted a verse from Deuteronomy 6 that we are not to tempt the Lord God (verse 16)...you can read about it in Matthew 4.

 Another thing about Psalm 91, it would seem to be a liturgical response type Psalm. In other words, it appears a reader would read the first part of a verse, and the people would respond in the latter part of the verse.
 What is equally interesting to me is the fact God is referred to by 4 different names or titles...in the first 2 verses alone. He is referred to as: 1) Most High 2) Almighty 3) Lord and 4) God.
 In the ancient Hebrew, each one of these titles had a special meaning...they weren't just some generic name the writer was conveying to make this chapter have a "poetic value" to it.
  The way I understand it the Hebrew original had this identity to each name: 1) Most High...meaning He is more important than anyone else 2) Almighty...meaning He is more powerful than anyone else 3) Lord...meaning He will never die and 4) God...the final decision maker in our lives.

 The other thing to keep in mind is Psalm 91 is about having security...and trust in Him. As we keep our hearts and minds focused on Him..and His "Mighty Commands", He will continue to dwell in us...and found to be a true and trusted Companion. Also, when we nurture our lives to have a loving trust and faith in Him, we shall be greeted with His faithful love to us...at all times.

                             A Gleaning from Psalm 91: 1-3

 " Whoever makes the decision to dwell in the secret place...the very shelter of the Most High, shall remain in a state of stability...a place of refuge...a place of safety. You will find yourselves under the Shadow of the Almighty...even in the darkest of nights. You will proclaim..."He is my God!"
 As you experience this, you will come to realize He is your Lord...a solid place of refuge...your only real place of safety. You will proclaim..."He is my God!"
 And, He will rescue you from every type of trap...hidden or otherwise. He will rescue you from deadly hazards...and He will rescue from the "Snare of the Fowler" himself. You will proclaim..."He is my God!"

The Gay/Lesbian Issue within the Christian Faith: "Are we facing a "Worship Disorder"?...part 2

In 1971 something really weird happened to my little town of about 35000 people...there was this movement...they call it "The Jesus Movement".....

 It was crazy! We partied like there was no tomorrow...my high school had tried to get Jimi Hendrix to come and play at our graduation party...we even had fund raisers goin' on...like car washes and charity events. At that time it would cost $35,000 to get him to come...and when it appeared we might be able to raise the money...the "city fathers" had a meeting and informed us it wasn't going to happen...the end. We ended up with a "bubble gum" group playing called "The Ohio Power"... not quite the same...lol. 
 It was 1970...it wouldn't have worked anyway...Hendrix died on September 18th, 1970. They say he was wore out and died from barbiturates...don't really know for sure.
  Joplin, Hendrix, and others...Morrison of The Doors...all dying, guys coming back from 'Nam messed up. I remember my uncle...he was like "all Army"..wanted to make a career of it...as a parachute jumper. When he returned from Viet Nam...he was so different...he could not wait to get out, and he never was the same after that. In fact, he kind of "whacked out", and died a short time later.
 I had seen some of my own friends die...motorcycle accidents, overdoses on drugs, and suicides. I remember going on this trip to see one of the chapters of the Hell's Angels motorcycle gang. We thought it would be so cool. We were on this ferry crossing Lake Erie...and the Hell's Angels were on as well. They all smelled bad, loaded with alcohol, and smoking pot. Most of them were skinny and weak...and quite vulgar. They started a fight on the ferry, but really didn't last too long...they were too weak. 
 By this time at the young age of 18 or so...life had become nothing more than "one big party".

 Then it happened...the "Summer of '71.

 We had this big bonfire going on one night. It was one of those beautiful "Ohio nights", the moon and stars so clear, plenty of booze...and plenty of girls. I still remember, it was shortly after 9 p.m... I had not really got a "serious buzz" yet, and was near the fire talking to some friends. In fact, I even remember the date...July 7th, 1971.

 As we were starting to 'get down to do some serious partying', there were these nuns...yea..I am telling you the truth...3 Roman Catholic nuns...came right up and walked right in to this party.
All of us...were like stunned. Some ditched their beer bottles, others put out their cigarettes or whatever they were smoking, and we just all kind of stared at them...like maybe we had gotten some "bad dope" or something.
 Theses nuns began to tell us how much Jesus loves us...and He has much better plans for us than what we had made that night. People began to leave the party, yet a few of us hung around. I happen to be...one that stayed....

And then...this one Hispanic nun walked up to me....

The Gay/Lesbian issue within the Christian faith: "Are we facing a "Worship Disorder?" part 1

It seems to be "lines are being drawn in the sand", you either accept and support the same-sex lifestyles...or you don't....

 Changing our thoughts and beliefs within our Christian faith... to a belief in our hearts that claims God is ok with same-sex behavior...is not only a challenge...there simply appears to me no evidence in the Sacred Scripture that God accepts this rationale. And if this be the case, this whole teaching that somehow God has approved a Gay/Lesbian lifestyle...has the capability of changing the very foundational ideas of our way of Christian worship...potentially causing harm and disorder to the core of our Christian order of worship.

 One question that is on my mind since the introduction of this "new way of worship" is: "Why is the Gay/Lesbian community is so intent on wanting to be a part of Christ's church...yet insist their right to live their lifestyle of choice?"

 Let me make this perfectly clear, I am not writing this to "bash" the Gay/Lesbian community...I just simply don't get it.

 I am a straight guy, have been since birth. Yes, I have been through the "Gay questions" from my gay/lesbian friends :"Did you have urges when you were a child to be with another guy but you suppressed it?", or " Haven't you ever just enjoyed being with "the guys"...and feel no need to have to date women?"...etc. etc. And my answer has always been the same: "No, I do not remember any desires whatsoever to be with another guy, and yes, I have enjoyed being with "the guys"...yet when the ladies come around...my excitement definitely went to a new level. (lol)

 That being said, here is my personal experience...in relation to sexual orientation. First, I was raised in a broken home like many in our nation. My Mom and Dad divorced at an early age, custody rights bounced my brother and I back and forth between them, and on holidays we somehow would all together for the "holiday meal". 
 I was extremely fortunate because as time went on, my Mom and Dad both having to work full-time, caused my brother and I to be left at my Grandma and Grandpa's... and it was there most of my childhood took place. My Grandfather and I had a very close relationship (farming and spending many hours out in the fields talking baseball and what I wanted to do in life), while my Grandma did the "Grandma thing"...baked cookies, supplied good meals, made us go to church, and gave emphasis to decent morals as we grew.
 My Mom was kind to us, and my father, although an alcoholic, would come and take us places and have fun...like Niagara Falls, swimming, etc...sometimes he even invited my Mom to come along. 
 There were other times my Father would stop by and take us for a couple hours to his favorite bar where my brother and I learned to shoot pool and play shuffleboard. As we got a little older, I remember meeting some of my Dad's latest girlfriends, like "Bubbles"...who I was totally overwhelmed with and still remember her to this day.

 As I entered my late teens (18 years of age), the Viet Nam Conflict was still in full swing, the thought of being drafted, the late 60's Revolution still hanging over our nation...and Watergate just around the corner.
 President John F. Kennedy and his brother Bobby both gone, this country and my little community was about to walk into a "new era". My brother brought home some "weird stuff to smoke" one day, and now I was wondering why my Dad loved beer...

 My greatest thing to do though...."Let's Party!"...and party I did.

 The thing is...I couldn't seem to get enough of it. I was raised in a mainline Protestant church, even went to church camps and vacation bible schools, I knew a few Scriptures, and did the bed-time prayer of: "Now I lay me down to sleep..." thing.
 But Partying...this was new...different...and exciting!! And talk about meeting a diverse people...it seemed to me the whole world had the same idea I did..."party!"

 It was during this time...I learned a whole lot...about sex...and if it had been in a school classroom format...I would have definitely been in the first row......

"The Real Cloud Rider"....Psalm 68: 4-6

Long before the Temple in Jerusalem was built, there was a time in ancient history something did happen in Israel.....

 There was a country to the west of Jerusalem that extended to the Mediterranean Sea...and to  the east as far as the River Jordan, their name was Philistia...the home of one of ancient Israel's most dreaded enemies...the Philistines!
 The Philistines were a sea-faring people, and their origin is dated far back...to the land of Canaan...long before the Israelites entered the area we call "The Promised Land". The Philistines were originally referred to as "Jebusites"...who worshipped the common no-name gods of Canaan like Baal, Astarte, and the gruesome Dagon. 

 In one battle, the Philistines were able to capture and take with them...the "Ark of God"...from the nation of Israel... yet, this became a major problem for the Philistines.

 Ok..what exactly is the "Ark of God"?

 The "Ark of God"...also referred to as the "Ark of the Covenant", the "Ark of the Lord", the "Ark of the Covenant with the Lord", or the "Ark of the Testimony".
 It was a rectangular box that was 2 and 1/2 cubits x 1 and 1/2 cubits by 1 and 1/2 cubits (prob. about 3 feet x 2 feet). It was covered in gold, and carried with poles...through rings at the 4 lower corners. The "lid", referred to as the "Mercy Seat"...was a gold plate surrounded by 2 large cherubs (angels) with outstretched wings, the entire box being made of acacia wood.
 Inside the box were remembrances of what the God of Israel had given to His people...the Israelites, including the 2 tablets ( 10 Commandments), a pot of "manna", and Aaron's rod (used in demonstration against the pharaohs of Egypt.

 OK, when the Philistines captured the "Ark of the Covenant"...it created major problems for them. They experienced tumors, starting with hemorrhoids and developing into an almost "Bubonic Plague". Then, they wake up one morning after sitting the "Ark of the Covenant" at the feet of their no-name god Dagon, only to find Dagon fallen over, laying prostrate in front of the "Ark of the Covenant", with his hands broken off...pretty much at the mercy of the "Ark of the Covenant".

 The whole thing started when the "Ark of the Covenant" was brought from Shiloh by the Israelites in hope of victory against the Philistines. Yet in 1 Samuel 4, it turned out quite devastating to Israel when it was captured, for along with the capture 2 of the Jewish High Priest's sons (Eli being the High Priest) were killed...Hophne and Phineas. When Eli heard the "Ark of the covenant" had been taken by the Philistines, Eli himself fell off a chair and died, and, Phineas wife, upon hearing the news, died in childbirth.

 The purpose of the "Ark of the Covenant" was to put the Israelites in remembrance of their covenant with their God...the Great God of Israel. For the Israelites...it was a covenant made of love, service, and obedience to their God. In return, the God of Israel agreed to help Israel...at all times. In this particular covenant, the Lord God of Israel was referred to by a special name...in a special way...the name..."Yahweh"(Adoni in Hebrew). It had a much more personal touch when speaking to the God of Israel in this manner...calling Him "Lord" or personal "Master"...one step away from calling Him..."Father".

 When the Philistines decided to return the "Ark of the Covenant" to the Israelites for the life-threatening problems they were having in retaining this "Ark", it was returned to a type of farm residence between Gath (Philistia) and Jerusalem ( Israel).
 At this time in history, Jerusalem did not belong to the nation of Israel. The "Jebusites" still occupied Jerusalem, an ancient tribe that were part of the Canaanite tribes that occupied the "Promised Land" before the Israelites arrived.

 Yet, King David attacked Jerusalem and captured it, making Jerusalem the capital city of Israel. The Temple in Jerusalem had not yet been built, instead, the people of Israel worshipped the God of Israel in a large tent collectively, made of animal skins and other materials...but no stone.

 Psalm 68 may or may no have been written by...by King David. When the "Ark of the Covenant" was brought to Jerusalem as dictated by King David, there was a procession..an almost parade like journey...singing Psalms as they went...like Psalm 24.
 Yet, the first few verses in Psalm 68 write of Israelite history long before the Philistines had captured the "Ark of the Covenant". It begins with Israel's deliverance and exodus from Egypt and Israel's entrance into...the "Promised Land".

 The striking thing about this passage of Sacred Scripture in Psalm 68 is the mention of the "Cloud Rider". In ancient writings, Egyptians and Greeks wrote of their gods as "Cloud Riders", and some writers have referred to "Cloud Riders" in Genesis, before the flood when giants roamed the land...but that is for another day.

 There is only one "True Cloud Rider"...the very God of Israel....

                                          A Gleaning from Psalm 69: 4-6

" The way has now been cleared! The time is now...to lift up the "Song of Praise"...to Him!...the Great God of Israel! Raise your voice, empty your hearts in the "song of Praise" as He arrives...right before our very eyes! This One...who rides upon the clouds...His Name..."The Real Cloud Rider"! Look! He rides through the deserts...and His very Name rides before Him! Give all your praise...and all the glory...to our Lord...the True Sky Rider!

 He is a Father...to the fatherless...a Sacred Home as a Protector of the widows! Why? Because He is a Holy God!
 The homeless now have homes to look forward to, the prisoners can now enjoy freedom, yet those who refuse and rebel the "Great Cloud Rider"...they will live in famine, in distress, while their very lands are both parched and desolate."

"Conflicts and Confrontations"...Jesus never had any...or did He? part 2

As Jesus entered the Temple that day, only approximately 4 days before He was crucified, there were the "money changers"...or "exchangers"...which had become nothing more than a type of "loan sharks"...basically selling you the right coinage for the Passover at exhorberant interest rates for the service...and when His eyes focused on...the selling of animals for a sacrifice...right in the outer courts of the Temple itself...which had been designated for a place for Gentiles (non-Jewish)...to pray and seek the Lord God of Israel...that was enough!

 In the ancient writings of the Old Testament, there was no mention of a "marketplace" that would sell animals...particularly in the outer courts of the Temple. This had come as a result of a kind of "afterthought" ( when Israel returned to their homeland after 70 years in Babylonian captivity.
 Yet now it had become quite a money-making business...at least for the priests and sellers of the livestock. Many had come to celebrate Passover, and make a sacrifice to the Lord God for His mercy to them. But...where did you get an animal for sacrifice? It was difficult to bring one from home...because it would more than likely be rejected because of some blemish on the animal itself...and so you were almost forced to buy one in the marketplace of the outer courts of the Temple...for they were all completely unblemished...or so you were told. After all, in the book of Deuteronomy it says (17:1) : "...any animal that has any defect whatsoever and is used as a sacrifice to Me...is an abomination to the Lord...".
 As people came from all over Israel and Gentiles from other nations to the Passover, it became apparent that any animal brought for sacrifice...would most like be rejected unless it was an animal sold by the Temple. The whole intent of the sacrifice had changed from...being in a "spirit of repent" for the offenses one might have done against the Lord God of Israel...to a money making scam led by corrupt priests of the Jewish Temple.

 So, as this lovely spring day began to unfold...Jesus enters the Temple.....

                                               A Gleaning from Saint Matthew 21: 12-17

" Jesus then wasted little time...and went directly into the Temple. The first thing He does...is drive out all the merchants who had set up their booths in the Outer Courts...a place reserved for Gentiles to pray. Now...things were about to change...

 Jesus grabbed the 4 foot tables of the money changers...and flipped them over! He focused on the merchants who were selling doves, knocked their chairs over and opened the cages where the doves were kept.
{NOTE: Doves were the primary sacrifice of the poor...the most they could afford}

 Jesus then raised His voice to all the merchants, money changers, and anyone close enough to hear...and proclaimed: "It is written...My House is designated as a House of Prayer...a House of Worship!...yet you have turned it into a hangout...for thieves...a place for robbers to hide!"
 After Jesus had cleared the area of all it's "debris", the blind and the lame began entering the Outer Courts...and Jesus healed them....right then and there!

 On this nice and warm spring day...Jesus had directly and with intent of purpose...challenged the authorities with a conflict of interests...a types of "showdown" that would lead to...a direct confrontation...with the very chief priests and leaders of the Temple itself...the very ones who had set-up this "market" place in the Outer Courts, and to make money from the Innocent...ones who had come to honor...the very Lord God of Israel!
 Now the poor, the lame, and the blind began to stream in and these Temple leaders watched as Jesus performed outrageous miracles...before all! Meanwhile, children had begun to run through the Temple shouting:

  "Hosanna!...Hosanna!...to the very Son of David!"

 The priests and leaders of the Temple began to question one another: " Do you hear what these children are saying?" Then they turned to Jesus...and asked Him this very question.
 Jesus, who was jubilant Himself seeing others healed and given hope in God once more responds: " Why yes!...Yes I do! Have you not read in the Scriptures: "...Out of the very mouths of children...even those who have not been weaned...are provided with a way to shout a "perfect form of praise"!...and this has been made possible by My Heavenly Father!'

And then....Jesus left the Temple......".

NOTES:

 A conflict is defined as a "serious disagreement that engages at least 2 parties experiencing a clash of opposing views, opinions, interests...a challenge to the very principles of a particular subject."  The Latin base for the English word we use today is "conflictus", or contest.
 A confrontation is defined as: "facing the opposing party...which could get hostile, of opposing views and struggle, a debate, even a collision of opposing thoughts. This might include a type of war, a "nail-biter", perhaps becoming a real "dogfight". The Latin base for this English word is "confrontare", meaning to turn around and face your opponent...face to face.

 Sometimes in life we have tendencies to view Christianity as an "all passive" community of Believers, where we all join hands and sing "Kum-ba- ya"...24/7. Yet, this is far from Truth. When we know in our hearts something is wrong and needs to be addressed...and here is the key...for the benefit of others...it becomes necessary to not be fearful of a potential conflict...and not be afraid of a confrontation...for if you lose the "heart of passion"...for the things you believe in...what really is the point of Christianity anyway? 

  This doesn't mean we have to "take up arms" for a particular cause...I would render this thought: If we see others being "run over, neglected, or abused"...then we position ourselves and prepare for conflicts and/or confrontations...not to prove a point, rather, to help others and put their trust in this One...from Galilee....."

 Oh...one more thought,,,after Jesus had finished His "conflict and confrontation" about what was going on that Spring day, He didn't hang around to work out the details...He simply...left. He didn't pray with them, He didn't hang around and look at the Scripture about "Temple proceedings", nor did He mention about resolving the issue...He left."

"Conflicts and Confrontations"...Jesus never had any...or did He? Part 1

On a lovely spring day, the city of Jerusalem was rockin'...it was one of the busiest times of the year...it was the time when the Passover Celebration was about to begin. People were everywhere, old friends reuniting, others discussing the latest news and fashions of the day, old men talkin' politics, old women talkin' about their husbands (lol), and the stores were bustling with sales from their merchandise and trinkets. It was a happy time, and everyone was put into the remembrance of being free...from centuries ago...when their ancestors had been delivered from the fierce hand of the ancient Egyptians...and guess who else was there?...Jesus had come ...oh yea!

 The Temple in Jerusalem was the central focus of this main event. It was the definite "headliner", and everyone of the Jewish faith were about to participate in the festivities...including...Jesus!...and then....things got a little crazy.....

Jesus enters the outer courts of the Temple,,,the Great Temple of the God of Israel, started by King King David and completed by his son Solomon... on this festive spring day. People from all over the land had made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, often singing hymns and Psalms along the way. It was a time when people were to arrive with hearts of gratefulness, both for their delivery from Egypt in centuries past, and for the things the Lord God were doing in their own lives.
 First to greet Him were the money changers, which in itself was not a problem. The money changers duties are even spelled out in Old Testament Law... yet...the money changers were doing it differently...than originally described in Exodus 30.
 Actually, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke describe the scenario that happened toward the end of His earthly ministry. It is thought this happened the day after Palm Sunday, on a Monday, 3 days before The Passover began, and only 4 days from Christ Jesus crucifixion. The Gospel of John also describes Jesus "cleansing" the Temple, yet this was another time...at the beginning of His ministry. So, Jesus "cleansed" the Temple...twice (at least...who knows...maybe He did this more often than the Scriptures describe)!

 On this occasion, it got a "little tense" you might say. As Jesus approached the money changer's table, He wasn't impressed as to what was going on. First, the money changers were set up in various places throughout the outer courts of this great Temple. Along with the money changers there were animals to be sold as a sacrifice for the sins of the people throughout the land of Israel. The outer courts of the Temple was busy...and crowded...and very noisy this time of year. This didn't go over good with Jesus as He entered the Temple area.
 Jesus, as was His habit, had encouraged others to come to the Temple, to pray, to seek guidance, and to be healed. It would seem He was excited as well over the festive celebration that was about to commence....that is until He reached the outer courts of the Temple where all the commotion was going on. Why?

 In Jerusalem, the Temple was divided into different areas...which for simplification purposes were the "outer courts" and the "main sanctuary". If you happen to be a Gentile ( non-Jewish from birth), you could only go as far as the outer courts to worship this Great God of Israel. 
 Yet, as Jesus entered the outer courts, because of all the selling going on...animals for sacrifice along with other merchandise, and the money changers set up throughout the Outer Court area, there was no room for Gentiles to pray...or seek this Great God...whom Jesus Himself had total adoration for. This didn't "fly well" with...in fact not at all.
 The other problem were the money changers themselves...a nasty business..especially during celebrations such as these. I have to do a little background check to understand what was going on. There seemed to be a number of issues:
 1. The Money Changers: first, it was perfectly fine these "guys" were there...it was established so in the Old Testament Law in Exodus 30: 11-16. The "Temple Tax" as it was referred to was a part of the sacrifice people gave as they entered the Temple to worship. The money was used to help maintain the upkeep of the Temple itself and for its employees...in this case the Levitical priesthood who led the people in worship, praise, and services to honor the God of Israel.
 Yet, as time had passed through the centuries in celebrations such as this...greed had become a dominant force in obtaining this "Temple Tax".
 By order of the high priest of the Jewish Temple, the annual charge was 1/2 shekel to enter the Temple. I have read where in today's standard it could be approximately $5.00 in American dollars. This tax could only be charged to anyone 20 years of age or older, yet everyone...rich or poor would pay this amount. 
 The other requirement was it could only be paid by a certain type of money. In other words, the money changers were more like money exchangers, much like when we visit another country and use the type of money that particular country was using. Ok...so far so good. During the time when Jesus came to the Temple, the only type of money accepted at the Temple was Tyrian (money made in the city of Thyratira (Asia Minor) because they had discovered how to separate and purify silver and gold better than anyone else. As a result, the content of silver in each coin was of a higher percentage than coins from elsewhere. Still...so far so good.
 Now, here is where the greed came in. First, the high priest of the Temple and leaders of the Levitical priesthood began to get a "personal cut" for themselves from the Temple Tax. So, in order for the money changers and priesthood would make some "bucks out of the deal"...they began to charge the people for exchanging money...so they could proceed into the Temple and join in the services and celebration. This got outlandish...some historians write they were charging people as much as 20 times the amount needed to have the proper coinage, and it appeared the main targets were the poor, which often included widows and women in general. 
  So, what was originally intended for providing money to maintain and help in services rendered, became a game of greed...and the people suffered for it. Imagine going to a fair or concert, and the entry fee had originally been $5, yet in order to get a pass to actually enter the fair or concert...it might cost you $100.

2. The other problem were the animals that were available to be purchased as a sacrifice...identifying sin in people's lives and offering sacrifices for their sins against this Great God of Israel. The key word to having an animal for sacrifice was "blemished"...or in this scenario..."unblemished". The only type of animals a person could use for sacrifice as an acknowledgment of sin in their lives were...unblemished animals. And guess who had all controls in making that decision...only the high priests and leaders of the Temple.
  By this time when Jesus arrived, about the only animals that would "pass inspection" as an unblemished animal that would honor God...were animals available for sale...from the priesthood in charge of the Temple. And because the leaders in the Temple got a "cut" from the sale of these animals...to say they were rather "pricey" was an understatement. Again, these animals purchased at the Temple could be as much as 20 times higher...than if you brought it from home.

 So, what exactly was an unblemished animal vs. a blemished one? I will have to have a "part 2"!