September 26, 2016
LOVE JESUS RATHER THAN WORLDLY IDOLS
Luke 19:28–48
John Cimmerman
Central Truth
There is nothing you can do to cause God to love you more, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less. Yet, God will not let you stand still spiritually. He will use everything at His disposal to conform you into Jesus' image (Romans 8:28-29).
Key Verse | Luke 19:45–46
And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” (Luke 19:45-46)
Luke 19:28–48
The Triumphal Entry
28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”
47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.
Dive Deeper | Luke 19:28–48
Was it a dream or real? I wish I knew. My first sight of Jesus knocking on the door of my life came when I was 16, and I invited Him to live with me forever (Acts 16:31). Next, a verse blazed into my mind in HD quality that said, "[D]o you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you . . . ." (1 Corinthians 6:19)
After this verse penetrated my heart and mind, the verse slowly dissolved, and I was left sitting on the throne of my heart with all my idols surrounding me. There were pride, fast food restaurants, people pleasing, lust, and many other things. I loved these with all my heart. Yet, each one was like a dagger inflicting its deadly wound.
Jesus entered this mess without anger or judgment. He came in love. "John, don't you know that 'It is written, "My house shall be a house of prayer," but you have made it a den of robbers.'" (Luke 19:46). The tools Jesus used on my heart were:
His "I-LOVE-YOU" brand of mercy to remove the stench of my sin;
The covering power of His blood to dissolve (forgive) my idol trinkets;
The cleansing power of the living Word of God, the Bible. John 15:3 (AMP) says, "You are already clean because of the word which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you]." According to 2 Timothy 3:15b-17, the Bible shows us truth, exposes our rebellion, corrects our mistakes, and trains us to live God’s way.
At one glance from Jesus, I fell on my knees in contrite submission. ”I don't want to live like this anymore. Change me into the man you want me to be!” Jesus began to use His tools to minister to my soul. He called me to obey Him and utilize the tools He has given me. Just remember, we rob Him of our love, fellowship, and communion when we love all these mere temporary idols around us.
A dream? I'm still not sure. But I do know that the transformation He produces in lives is real both now and for eternity.
Discussion Questions
1. When people see you or think of you, do they think of you as a man or woman of prayer? Why or why not?
2. Do you have idols that you treasure (e.g., sex, job, drugs, alcohol, people pleasing, food, etc.) more than God? What are they? If you want to live a life of freedom from idols, consider going to the re:generation ministry at Watermark on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. Remember, Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Share your struggles with a mature Christian you know.
3. Is God working on your life to make you into the person He wants you to be? Explain. Remember to obey God daily and utilize the tools He has given you.