Jesus in Jerusalem

Overview of Lesson 12: Jesus in Jerusalem

(Following this link will allow you to view the lesson in more detail: Sabbath School Org. Lesson 12)

Karakia Timatanga             Opening Prayer

E te Atua                              Lord

He mihi tēnei ki a koe            This is a greeting to you

Mo au painga ki a mātou        For your kindness to us

I tēnei wā                             At this time

Amine                                       Amen

Saturday | Sabbath | Hātarei

For approximately 3,000 years, ever since David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it his capital, Jerusalem has been significant, historically and spiritually. It is important to the Jews, Christians and Moslems; the trinity of monotheistic religions. Israel still wants complete possession of Judah and many Christians within the Evangelicals attach eschatological significance to Israel.

Jesus wept because Jerusalem rejected Him.

Sunday | Rātapu

The Triumphal Entry

Today we understand that what the Jews wanted from Jesus was a literal, political kingdom. This was the ultimate reason for their acceptance and then rejection of Him. Are we any different today than the Jews? What we are expecting from Jesus second coming is what the Jews were expecting from His first.

I wonder if we are missing the point in the establishment of God’s kingdom. It seems to me that we would like the kingdom set up for external reasons of peace, life, health, well-being, security and safety. These motives are not wrong in themselves, however what God wants is the kingdom established in us. How could God’s kingdom ever be secure unless His principles and its practises are in its citizens? What does this mean then for daily living?

Monday | Rāhina 

Jerusalem: Cleansing the Temple

Jesus cleansing of the temple was significant for a number of reasons. First, salvation is never a monetary transaction that can be bought and sold. We can not buy our salvation with one or two lambs, we can not buy salvation at all; it is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9).God’s dealings with us never come from a purchase in the market place. Jesus as the lamb of God (Jn. 1:29) was the replacement for all these sacrifices. Second, God’s temple is not a place for those in authority to enrich themselves at the expense of the believer. Such abuse cheapens God’s grace and brings the worship of God into disrepute. It causes grief to the believer and gives argument not to believe to the skeptic. Third, the way we conduct our worship should never exclude others from God’s presence. The trading in the temple impacted on women and gentiles. There are barriers today in many churches that exclude different people. Fourth, (dare I say it) the cacophonic noise and din of the animals and the dealers make it difficult to participate in genuine worship. Sometimes, the parading, bartering, haggling and arguments obscure the purpose of worship, the distraction becoming the focus.

Tuesday | Rātū 
The Unfaithful (Lk. 20:9-19)
We had tenants once. They sprayed the lawn with weed spray so that they didn't have to mow it and chopped down one of our beautiful trees without asking. Fortunately they didn't try to kill us.

What seems to happen throughout history with God’s people is that they seem to become fixated on promoting a version of an earlier prophet or message from God which is not the primary message for the time. The previous message still has validity but the historical message over time seems to be codified into certain forms and customs which were not originally intended. The prophet bringing the ‘new’ message usually is introducing a message that cuts across cultural expectations and desires and provides a counter perspective which is often perceived as threatening the existing authority of those in established positions of power. Anything new then appears to be heretical because people don’t understand what God is communicating or are unhappy with what He wants; this leads to the messenger (prophet) being rejected or his/her suffering. Messages of the prophets discuss sin (very unpopular), righteousness (not so popular), justice (popularity depends on your place in society) and God (very unpopular). Those rejecting the messages have a tendency to justify their own actions of condemnation, whilst at the same time being prepared to carry out acts of slander and violence based on hatred.

Jesus the greatest prophet and Messiah was perceived as a significant threat by the High Priest’s own admission (Jn. 11:50). Judaism, in the form that the High Priest wanted to retain, was about to undergo significant change that put his privileged status in apparent jeopardy.

More recently. Do you think that Martin Luther King had a message from God? What issues of a more contemporaneous nature could God have for our generation?

Wednesday | Rāapa

God Versus Caesar

There is nothing simple about Jesus answer. It is extremely wise but poses some conundrums for Christians. Taxation, no worries pay up. Don’t cheat or defraud the government. But what about the question of military service? John the Baptist spoke to the soldiers (Lk. 3:14) and they certainly weren’t non-combatants. Adventists previously took on non-combatant roles. Today they are increasingly taking on active service and in wars that could well be considered unethical. What about voting and participating in political processes? Some people choose not to vote for reasons of conscience.

Thursday | Rāpare
The Lord's Supper

Thursday’s lesson was very meaningful and well put together but the question that arises concerning Passover is important. Many Christian’s celebrate the Lord’s Supper weekly, whereas Adventists celebrate this four times a year. None of this is right or wrong it is simply custom. However, if you were to argue that the Lord’s Supper is a custom that has superseded or transformed the Passover then perhaps it should be celebrated annually and perhaps by the family rather than the church. What do you think?

Points for Christians to consider and practise

1. Live as citizen's of the New Jerusalem now.
2. Examine how you are entering God's presence. Are you preventing anyone else from worshipping Him?
3. Do you think that you are able to recognise God's messages for today's world? To what extent are you prepared to go to protect the church or your own security within it when someone has a view different from yours?
4. Should a Christian serve the state in the armed forces in a place such as Iraq when the pre-text of weapons of mass destruction was precarious to say the least?

Closing Prayer - Karakia Whakamutunga

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Kia tau ki a tātou katoa te atawhai o tō tātou Ariki, a Ihu Karaiti me te aroha o te Atua, me te whiwhingatahitanga ki te wairua tapu, ake, ake, ake, amine.

References

Fowler, J. (2015). The book of Luke. Adult Sabbath School Quarterly 2Q. 2015. Silver Spring: MD: Pacific Press.

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