Grow! Pray! Study! The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's Daily Guide for Thursday, 20 February 2014 "Jesus in the Temple: 'My father's house'" & Friday, 21 February 2014 "Jesus cleansed the Temple: 'Passion for your house"

Grow! Pray! Study! The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's Daily Guide for Thursday, 20 February 2014 "Jesus in the Temple: 'My father's house'" & Friday, 21 February 2014 "Jesus cleansed the Temple: 'Passion for your house"
Grow! Pray! Study! The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's Daily Guide for Thursday, 20 February 2014 "Jesus in the Temple: 'My father's house'"
Daily Scripture: Luke 2:43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
49 He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Reflection Questions:
Jesus' parents, understandably, experienced profound alarm when their 12-year-old son was missing. But when they found him, he didn't seem alarmed, but seemed to be feeling quite at home in the Temple. Though he continued to respect and honor his earthly parents, he called the Temple "my Father's house," and said it was "necessary" for him to be there.
A membership expectation at Resurrection is that you will be in worship every week, unless you are ill or out of town. (Now that we offer streamed worship services at www.rezonline.org, you can take part even at those times.) In what ways has making that commitment had a positive impact on your life journey with God.
 As far as we know, Jesus had not been in Jerusalem since he was an infant. Yet he said it was "necessary" for him to be in the Temple, and called that formidable building (enlarged and decorated by Herod the Great) his Father's house. In what ways do you find yourself drawn to join others of God's people in praise and prayer before God? To what extent do you feel "at home" when you worship?
Today's Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am grateful for Jesus teachings and example. He showed me that your business is the best business to be about. Guide me to accomplish your purpose for me this day. Amen.
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Insight from Erin Bryan
Read today’s Insight from Erin Bryan.
Read and Reflect:
(Head)
Our scripture opens on Jesus’ family and friends’ long walk home as they return from celebrating the Feast of Passover in Jerusalem. This was an annual tradition for Joseph, Mary, their children and all of the Jewish people. As the caravan of Israelites journeyed to and from Judah, women and children would lead the procession. Men, serving as protectors from roadside robberies, would bring up the rear. Jesus, now 12 years old, could have walked in either party—which is perhaps why neither of his parents noticed his absence.
The company traveled for a day before Mary and Joseph began to ask where their son was. Once they realized that Jesus was nowhere to be found, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking their child. I would imagine they hightailed it in reverse—this was the Son of God, after all!
Mary and Joseph knew their boy was no ordinary 12-year-old. They were blessed to bring a miracle into this world! Before his birth, Jesus had been proclaimed Emmanuel by angels. God‘s messengers brought Mary and Joseph the good news that God was sending this baby to be God with us—Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace!
However, his parents clearly had not considered the reality that their child was becoming a young man—growing in his own relationship with his Heavenly Father—and choosing to do so in the best place he knew: the temple courts at Jerusalem. As Mary and Joseph set out for Nazareth, Jesus remained with those who were most concerned about their eternal home with their Heavenly Father.
I imagine Joseph—and especially Mary—felt a lot of strong emotions during the three-day journey back to Jerusalem. Perhaps they were concerned initially with Jesus’ safety and welfare. Jesus’ parents may have been frustrated or forlorn over his absence as they frantically searched for him amongst their kin and began the long journey back to Jerusalem. When they were reunited at the temple courts and Mary saw her child was sitting among the teachers, talking with them and asking them questions, she pleaded with him to explain why he would treat her and her husband in this way.
Neither parent fully understood Jesus’ response, nor did the wise ones who engaged him in discussion at the very temple courts where scholars like Gamaliel and Paul later received their educations. Jesus plainly said that he was about his Father’s business. What could be more important than the business of God?
Prayer and Meditation
(Heart)
Gracious God,
We are so thankful that throughout time you are our eternal parent. You love, protect and provide for us daily. You sent us Jesus, as a helpless babe in a manger, who grew into a child
who amazed the teachers of the law and scriptures, whose relationship with you developed even more strongly as he became the young man you anointed him to be, who is our Savior and whose Holy Spirit remains with us to this day. We are grateful for the teachings and
example of Jesus, who teaches us today that your business is the best business to be about.
In Christ we are strengthened to study your word and do your will. I pray that you would move me to accomplish your purpose for me this day. May I be as eager as the young man, Jesus, to honor my parents, teachers and counselors, as we grow together in faith. May I be more focused on living a life that is pleasing to you, O God, than I am in pleasing those around me. May you find your people about your business, Bless us to be a blessing to those whose lives you wish us to touch in our church and community.
Amen.
Be, Do & Go
(Hands)
Consider your parents and others who have provided care for you during your
journey with Christ. Remember those who have been your pastors, counselors and
teachers within the faith community.
Write a letter, send an email, post on a Facebook page, or call those who have
helped you be about the business of your Heavenly Father. Visit with one another
about where God is leading you today, and encourage one another to remain strengthened and be faithful to God’s calling.
Discuss ways in which you can pray for and hold one another accountable to
remaining attuned to God’s business in your busy lives. Is there a way that you can
spread Christ’s love and joy to those in your community and become a mentor in faith
for someone who may be non-religious or nominally religious?
For Discussion:
Use this section to help prompt discussion with your spouse, children, small group, etc.
1. We have all been lost at one time or another—literally or spiritually. Recall those experiences and discuss your feelings before and after being ‘found.’
2. When we are about the world’s business, we often are unsatisfied. When we are tuned in to God’s business, we are usually more content. Where do you feel you are now? How can you move toward the peace Christ offers you?
3. Jesus was a young boy who astounded the temple teachers. Are your children excited to learn about Jesus? Engage your family in re-telling the story of Jesus! Perhaps check out a book from the library, draw the Bible scenes, sing your favorite hymns or praise songs, or talk about how you can share the story with someone new this year!
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Grow! Pray! Study! The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's Daily Guide for Friday, 21 February 2014 "Jesus cleansed the Temple: 'Passion for your house"
Daily Scripture: John 2:13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting. 15 He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables. 16 To those who sold the doves, he said, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will eat me up.”[a]
18 The Jews therefore answered him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he spoke of the temple of his body.
Footnotes:
a. John 2:17 Psalm 69:9
Reflection Questions:
The adult Jesus was angered to see the Temple reduced to a device for moneymaking. (Note: Matthew, Mark and Luke all place this incident in the final week of Jesus' life. John put it at the start of his story, probably because he saw in it a keynote of Jesus' mission to restore true worship.) Jesus' passion for a proper use of the Temple reminded his disciples of Psalm 69:9, a poem about passion for God's house.
Jesus challenged Jerusalem's priestly elite, who exploited pilgrims by using their power to reject sacrificial animals, and by forcing them to change other currency into "Temple shekels." Women and gentiles used the Temple courts for worship (they could not enter the Sanctuary), so the buying and selling interfered with their ability to worship. In what ways can you emulate Jesus' passion for keeping God's worship primary in all of your church's activities?
Jesus was not upset about the marketplace per se, but about its location and corrupt practices. How and where do you choose to spend your money? Is it important to you that you be a good steward of your resources? If you run a business, what steps do you take to insure that you run a fair marketplace that serves customers and employees rather than exploiting them?
Today's Prayer:
Father God, renew in me a passion to represent Christ in the world, a passion to know, love, and serve you. Renew in me a passion to make your church a vital part of my community. Amen.
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Insight from Lori Trupp
Lori Trupp is the Director of Children’s Ministries at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
Read and Reflect:
(Head)
In our scripture reading today, we follow Jesus to the Temple. I can picture Jesus as he enters the temple courts. I can hear the animal sounds, see the people milling about and the merchants and money changers conducting their business. I imagine it must have been very loud and chaotic.
I often think about the expression on Jesus’ face as he came upon this scene. I can imagine anger flashing in his eyes, enraged by the activity occurring around him. I can see him fashioning a whip and hear him as he cracks it in the Temple courts, driving them all away and saying, “ Take these things out of here! Stop making my father’s house a marketplace! ” (v.16)
This statement revealed both Jesus’ authority and his identity. By calling the Temple “my father’s house,” he is stating that he is indeed God’s son. As such, he had the divine authority to do what he did.
After witnessing Jesus’ action, his disciples remember that it is written, “ Passion for your house will consume me. ” (Psalm 69:9) They know something important has happened, yet they still do not fully understand.
When the temple priests confront Jesus about his actions, they ask, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” (v.18). They must have sensed this was a sign of some sort or they wouldn’t have asked the question that way.
Even in their confusion, they all understood that something radical was at work. The disciples, temple priests and even those in the marketplace knew that the passion with which Jesus responded was different.
It was a demonstration of supernatural passion, the kind of passion that inspires people to drop everything and follow a man they hardly know. The kind of passion that radically transforms those who choose to accept the gift of salvation. The kind of passion that inspires a church in Kansas to dream, explore, plan and imagine 10,000 reasons to invest in the future.
Merriam-Webster defines passion as a “strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something.” At The Church of the Resurrection, we have a passion to represent Christ in the world, to change lives, transform communities and renew the church. We have a passion to build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally
religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians. We have a passion to know, love and serve God. I am grateful to be a part of a faith community that has this passion!
Prayer and Meditation
(Heart)
God, renew your supernatural passion in me.
Renew in me a passion to represent Christ in the world.
Renew in me a passion to know, love and serve you.
Renew in me a passion to help young adults know you.
Renew in me a passion to reach inner-city children in your name.
Renew in me a passion to reach and include fully into your church people who are intellectually different as well as all other people who have some kind of difference based on disability and their families and caregivers.
Renew in me a passion to make your church a vital part of communities everywhere.
Amen.
Be, Do & Go
(Hands)
Take a minute to write down three things you could do to fan the spark of passion God placed on your heart during your journal time. Make a plan to act on at least one of your ideas in the next week. If you aren’t sure what to do, contact www.cor.org/connections, and we will help you find a way to connect your passion with a way to serve others!
For Discussion:
Use this section to help prompt discussion with your spouse, children, small group, etc.
1. Picture yourself in the temple court when Jesus arrives. What would you feel when
Jesus begins clearing the temple with his whip?
2. Women and gentiles used the Temple courts for worship (they were not allowed in
the Sanctuary). The buying and selling interfered with their ability to worship. What
things interfere with your opportunity to worship?
3. Jesus was not upset about the marketplace, but about its location. How and where
do you spend your money? Are you a good steward of your resources? Is stewardship
important to you? If you run a business, do you run a fair marketplace?
4. Share what you feel a renewed passion about after this lesson and how you plan to
fan the spark God has placed in your heart.
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