The account of Jesus “cleansing the temple” is told in all four Gospels but with several significant differences.  Matthew, Mark and Luke place this account toward the end of Jesus’ life, while John places it much closer to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.  Jesus enters the temple during Passover – a very active, busy time – and turns everything, literally and figuratively, upside down.  The temple was THE established place to meet and encounter God.  And, through this encounter, Jesus suggests that the old order is passing and something new is being established. 

Ready or not, we are upon the threshold of Lent.  This is a season that is typically marked by themes of light and shadow, confession and repentance, frailty and humility. It is a season that reminds us of our finiteness as human beings.

Ready or not, we are upon the threshold of Lent.  This is a season that is typically marked by themes of light and shadow, confession and repentance, frailty and humility. It is a season that reminds us of our finiteness as human beings.

This Sunday we’ll spend some time exploring what’s come to be known as the Messianic Secret.  We’ll see that Jesus consistently tells not only unclean spirits, but also people, including his disciples, not to tell anyone what they’ve seen or heard in their encounters with Jesus.  Why on earth would Jesus do this? 

This Sunday we’ll spend some time exploring what’s come to be known as the Messianic Secret.  We’ll see that Jesus consistently tells not only unclean spirits, but also people, including his disciples, not to tell anyone what they’ve seen or heard in their encounters with Jesus.  Why on earth would Jesus do this? 

In our passage for Sunday, Jesus is at the beginning of his public ministry and people (in addition to other powers) are discovering him as “one with authority.”  That authority was conferred after people not only heard Jesus’ teaching but witnessed Jesus exorcise an “unclean spirit” or a “demon” from a man who was present in the synagogue. Our focus on Jesus as “trusted authority” will guide us into a time of reflection about trusting Jesus as the one who stills the waters at certain times, bringing peace and calm, and who troubles the waters at other times.