THEY BECAME INDIGNANT

• The Perplexity Of Man
• They Became Indignant
• Rejoice With Me

And Jesus entered the temple [grounds] and drove out [with force] all who were buying and selling [birds and animals for sacrifice] in the temple area, and He turned over the tables of the moneychangers [who made a profit exchanging foreign money for temple coinage] and the chairs of those who were selling doves [for sacrifice]. Jesus said to them, “It is written [in Scripture], ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.”
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And the blind and the lame came to Him in [the porticoes and courts of] the temple area, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful and miraculous things that Jesus had done, and heard the boys who were shouting in [the porticoes and courts of] the temple [in praise and adoration], “Hosanna to the Son of David (the Messiah),” they became indignant (AMP).

the perplexity of man

The actions of man can be perplexing, especially those of men who are called to be spiritual leaders over the congregation of GOD. Spiritual leaders are called to lead, support, direct, and guide the congregation of GOD. In addition to this, they are also called to protect GOD’s people from harm. But in modern times, far too many men have abandoned their proper role and guidance over GOD’s people for power, influence, political and financial gain. They have allowed their emotions to guide them in how they lead and direct GOD’s people, instead of allowing the Spirit of the living GOD to guide them.

This is why I share the above verses from my Bible reading today. These few verses provide us with insight and a perfect example of how many of our leaders today are so far away from the nature and character of Jesus, who was the greatest Shepherd that ever lived.

Now, let’s notice two actions performed by Jesus in the above scripture.
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they becAme indignant
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​As He entered the temple gate, Jesus observed the activities, interactions, and behaviors of GOD’s people in the temple. What He observed baffled Him. GOD’s house is a place where HIS Spirit is supposed to dwell. It is considered the most holy place among GOD’s people. But the people, along with their leaders, were treating it as a common place — a place where anything and everything goes if it seems right in man’s eyes.

As a result of their attitude toward this sacred place, Jesus became vexed. He could not believe the business transactions they were conducting in the temple and the lack of attention from the leaders to prioritize the physical and spiritual health of the people. It appeared that the leaders were placing greater importance on their business activities than on the physical and spiritual needs of the people. As a result, the leaders’ actions and business dealings created an atmosphere and environment that made GOD’s house unclean. How so?

According to the above verses, the people and their leaders were buying and profiting from the sale of doves, birds, and animals for sacrifice, as well as exchanging foreign money for temple coinage. GOD’s leaders were more focused on profiting from their activities inside GOD’s house than on prioritizing worship and praise to a holy GOD in HIS temple. Therefore, Jesus stated to them, “you are making it (the Temple) a robbers’ den.” The New King James Version says, they made GOD’s house a ‘den of thieves.’

This triggered Jesus to the point that He responded forcefully to what they were doing. He overturned the tables and chairs of the moneychangers and sellers. But Jesus’ reaction is not what we are focusing on today.

Shortly after Jesus addressed the people’s illegal dealings in GOD’s house, the atmosphere shifted immediately when the blind and lame came to Jesus seeking help. Jesus’ emotions quickly moved from anger over the illegal selling of goods in GOD’s house to compassion for the blind and lame individuals standing before Him. As Jesus’ heart filled with concern for these individuals’ plight, He healed them. This led many to praise and show adoration toward Jesus by shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”

Yes, Jesus did a great thing by healing these individuals from their afflictions, resulting in the people responding with great joy and celebration — except for two groups of men: the chief priests and scribes. As they watched Jesus go from righteous anger over their business activities to displaying love and compassion toward the blind and lame, which He healed, the people rejoiced and celebrated Jesus’ actions. But the leaders of GOD’s people became indignant — irritated, outraged, annoyed, and resentful over the actions of Jesus.

Now, let’s understand this. Jesus saw that illegal business activities were taking place in the temple, so He took the proper steps to remove that activity. Then Jesus turned around and saw blind and lame people who needed His assistance. So, He healed them — conducting the proper activities that should always take place in GOD’s house. And yet, the leaders of GOD’s people became upset by all that Jesus had done.
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rejoice with me

Now, this is a good place, to explore the parable of the lost sheep for a minute. Turn to Luke chapter 15, and let’s read verses 1-7.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews] were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began muttering and complaining, saying, “This man accepts and welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So He told them this parable: “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, [searching] until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he gets home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
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In these verses, we see that the shepherd, who represents Jesus, is interacting with and caring for his sheep. In the process, one of his hundred sheep gets separated from the flock and becomes lost. Out of compassion and concern, the shepherd goes after the one lost sheep and eventually finds it.

Immediately after finding it, what does the shepherd do? He displays a gentle and caring act by carrying it on his shoulders and then rejoicing. Did you notice what just happened between the shepherd (representing Jesus) and the lost sheep?

First, the shepherd gently picks up the lost sheep, which is probably tired and worn out from the experiences it had while separated from the caring protection of its shepherd. Realizing this, the shepherd springs into action by:

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1. Gently picking up the sheep
2. Providing support by carrying it
3. Restoring the strength of the sheep by temporarily carrying its burden during the journey back home

​Galatians 6:2 puts it this way:

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].
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So, in the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd is gentle, provides support, restores the sheep’s strength, and then privately rejoices (celebrates) with the sheep as they journey back home.

Once they arrive home, what does the shepherd do next? He gathers his friends and his neighbors and encourages them to “rejoice with me” because he has found his lost sheep. What a beautiful occasion! The shepherd, his friends, and his neighbors understood the value and importance of celebrating together the return of a single lost sheep.

How different is this from the attitude and response of the Body of Christ and its leaders today when a lost sheep (a member of the flock) returns to the congregation of GOD? Like the chief priests and scribes mentioned in Matthew 21:12–15, far too many in the Body of Christ respond the same way whenever Jesus, our great shepherd, rescues someone from sin and death.

Let’s highlight one more point from Luke 15. Let’s read verses 6–7:
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And when he gets home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
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​Did you see that? Whenever one lost sheep returns to the flock, the entire heaven rejoices — GOD HIMSELF, the SON of GOD, the Holy Spirit, and all of creation in heaven celebrate.

Here’s the question I need each one of you to honestly ask yourself: Whenever a lost sheep is found and returns to the congregation of GOD to be healed, strengthened, and restored back to physical, mental, and spiritual health, do we genuinely rejoice over the return of the lost sheep just like the shepherd and his family and friends in Jesus’ parable? Or do we respond like the chief priests and scribes in the temple in Matthew chapter 21 — becoming indignant because of the former sin of that individual?

We all need to evaluate our response to what Jesus wants and is trying to do for the many lost sheep in the world today as these ones attempt to return to the congregation of GOD. How are we going to respond to the needs of the people?
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• Are we going to have the right attitude by following the examples and instructions Jesus set for us in Matthew 21:12–15, Luke 15:1–7, and Galatians 6:1–2?
• Or are we going to be like the chief priests and scribes who became indignant at the actions of Jesus each time He saved and healed someone or confronted improper activities in the Church of GOD?

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​You choose this day which example will you will be.