THE PURGING OF OUR SOULS PART ONE.

 

The purging of our souls   Part One

 

 

 

 

 

This is an outstanding study on how God deals with flesh in our souls. The Triune Godhead understands exactly how to put pressure on and in our circumstances because God lives outside of time. If we have sin lingering in our souls --- well that is what this article is all about so I will quote the passage and then get right into this interesting study.

 

(12) "After this He went down to Capernaum, He, and His mother, and His brethren, and His disciples : and they continued there not many days. (13) And the Jews' Passover was at hand, and Je'sus went up to Je - ru -' sa - lem, (14) And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: (15) And when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; (16) And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father's house an house of merchandise. (17) And His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up." John 2: 12 - 17.

 

Most of this passage focuses on Jesus traveling to Capernaum and then up to Jerusalem to commemorate Passover which is the first feast out of seven. Most people know the story that our Righteous Master made a scourge and went to a specific section of the temple and drove out unrighteousness but I would like to say there is much more detail to this particular juncture of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.

 

Jesus traveled from Cana of Galilee to Capernaum which was not a short distance for walking. Jesus considered this place His earthly home because the Bible says, "And He entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into His own city." Matthew 9:1. This verse is talking about Capernaum.

 

If people have an earthly house they usually try and stay a long time because there is nothing quite like home but the Son of Man just visited this place and did not stay long.

 

One spiritual application is Peter said we are just pilgrims passing through earth so we can not get to comfortable in this world because we are not staying. This is not our home.

 

Another spiritual application is it is just plain sad if Jesus does not stay long. When He went to Jerusalem many people did believe in His name but in John 2: 24 - 25 the Bible says Jesus Himself had reservations about staying in this place. Remember there are entire countries in this world that had the Son of God visit them and He was kicked out so as a result He departed because Jesus was not welcomed. In all fairness Capernaum did not seem hostile to the Son of Man but it was still their loss. We as believers in Christ should be asking, "Jesus please make your presence in my spirit and let me have fellowship with you."

 

Jesus never traveled alone so in this case His mother, disciples and brethren walked with Him. They recognized His doctrine and miracles. They knew there was something very different about Jesus Christ. He spoke and acted with authority but what this small crowd was really looking for is divine truth from heaven. They were used to unrighteous teachers that spoke only of the law. 

 

This group got to spend more time with Jesus than the people in Capernaum. They all aimed to be placed under the guidance of Jesus Christ. We have the same goal because this is the very essence of a follower of our Great Teacher. They all desired to learn of Him so they walked wherever Jesus went to the end of His earthly destination. We need to do the same thing. We need to rest in the yoke of Jesus Christ and learn of Him.

 

When Jesus arrived in Capernaum He was intent on Keeping Passover which was in Jerusalem. Our Lord followed the law exactly so of course He not only went but probably never missed Passover in Jerusalem since He was twelve years old.

 

Jesus desired to go straight to the temple before He made a public appearance. The very first thing Jesus did was purge the temple. He went straight to the court of the gentiles, made a scourge and drove out the sheep, oxen and those that sold them. The very first thing the Son of Man did was purge out that which was sinful and selfish.

 

This applies to us as believers in Christ because often times we have our, "Court of the gentiles." Jesus will get His scourge out and start swinging because flesh is enmity to God. "Flesh" is that independent nature that rises up against God in either a blunt or not so direct way. Whether aggressive or passive it is still acting separate from the Triune Godhead. 

 

We were created for a jealous God. "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and forth generation of them that hate Me." Exodus 20:5.

 

If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ please consider the One True God that created you for Him rather than worship and serve some false God that will die. Eternal life is way better than eternal death.

 

God bless you,

Bob D.