WEEK TWO
Jesus as Judge… who brings judgment
VIDEO
In the video Pete makes several key connections between Jesus’ current actions which
focus primarily on Jesus passing judgment on the Israelites and specifically the temple
where they worshipped, connecting Israel’s actions and spiritual state with Old Testament
prophecies from Isaiah and Jeremiah. Note: These Scripture passages are all
referenced on a separate handout. For simplicity, the Old Testament prophecy is
grouped with its New Testament fulfillment, titled PROPHETIC
ANNOUNCEMENT and PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT respectively.
BACKGROUND AND LOCATION
Jesus is on his way to the temple, walking with his Disciples. Several key moments are
noted: Jesus’ interaction with the Fig Tree (symbolic, representing Israel), and Jesus’
actions in the Temple - judging its current spiritual state; cleansing it; and proclaiming
the temple’s intended purpose (House of Prayer/Open to the Gentiles).
The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah were contemporaries of one another. Their messages
were roughly 500-600 years prior.
GROUP TIME
Facilitator: Watch the video as a group.
Discussion: Ask the group for feedback following the video.
Facilitator: The following are possible questions for additional group discussion.
1. Pete shares in the video about Jesus acting as Judge and that this is different from
how we often picture him in the Bible. Jesus is clearly dealing with sin. His
references from Jeremiah gave insight into the spiritual state of those worshipping
in the temple at that time. Ask for volunteers to read:
Mark 11: 15-19
15
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and
began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He
overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of
those selling doves,
16
and would not allow anyone to carry
merchandise through the temple courts.
17
And as he taught them,
he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of
prayer for all nations’
[c]
? But you have made it ‘a den of
robbers.’
[d]
”
Jeremiah 7:9-11
9
“‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury,
[a]
burn
incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known,
10
and
then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my
Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable
things?
11
Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den
of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD.
Facilitator: After reading the two passages (above), Ask the group to
identify some of the behaviors that were present during this period in time.
2. Note: If you talked about the previous question as a group, this is a good
follow up question. If you are using this question as a stand alone, be sure to
ask for volunteers to read the two Scripture passages from their Scripture
handout.
Based on the sinful behaviors that are referenced in Mark 11: 15-19 and Jeremiah
7: 3,4 and Jeremiah 7:9-11, Question: How important is it for us to live our lives
fully committed to God? How serious is our sin to Jesus?
3. Pete shares in the video that the place where the buying and selling was taking
place was in the court of the Gentiles. Note: The Gentiles were not allowed by
design to go beyond their court to worship God. Jesus not only cleanses this
section of the temple, he then includes the Gentiles by referencing Isaiah’s
prophecy (56:7,8) using the words, “a house of prayer for all nations.” Question:
What thoughts come to mind when you think about people that have not been
allowed to worship God because of religious persecution? Question: Do we have
an obligation to reach out to groups of people that are being persecuted? If so,
what are some practical ways that we can reach out to them?
4. Pete referenced that there have been times when Jesus came and judged his heart
for something that was hindering or blocking his relationship with God. Pete also
said that Jesus judged him not to condemn him, but to get him back on the right
road so that he could be free to worship God again. Question: Pause for a
“prayerful moment” and ask God if there is anything blocking your ability to
worship God. If so, ask God to forgive you and release you to serve Him and
worship Him freely.
