How about the purging of the temple?
Introduction. A record of Jesus' purging the temple is found in John 2: 12-17 and Matthew 21: 12-13. Actually the two records are two different events. John's account is an event at the beginning of Jesus' ministry while Matthew's occurred toward the end of Jesus' ministry.
The purgation. Jesus "cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple" (Matt. 21: 12). John states that He "made a scourge...and drove them all out..." (John 2: 15). Jesus appears to have used the whip only on the animals (see different translations). Jesus "overthrew the tables and the seats of them that sold doves" (Matt. 21: 12), and poured out the changer's money (John 2: 15). The problem was the same in both events. Hence, Jesus' statement, "...it is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves" (Matt. 21: 13; John 2: 16). These people had secularized the temple and were overcharging for the exchange of secular currency into that accepted by the temple.
Lessons to be drawn from the cleansing. In these purgings we see a different Jesus from the one often visualized today. Jesus had zeal (John 2: 17). True zeal based on knowledge will not tolerate such desecration. Much of religion today is characterized by secularism and socialism. Churches have become playgrounds and business opportunities for the frivolously and secularly minded. Jesus displayed righteous indignation. False doctrine and perversion made Jesus angry (Mk. 3: 5). Jesus taught in the purgings that religious compromise must not be practiced when such practice involves principles of right and wrong. Jesus' actions of disapproval were unmistakable. Everyone present knew exactly where the Lord stood.
Conclusion. What do you think Jesus would say and do if He were physically present to observe secularized religion today?
The purgation. Jesus "cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple" (Matt. 21: 12). John states that He "made a scourge...and drove them all out..." (John 2: 15). Jesus appears to have used the whip only on the animals (see different translations). Jesus "overthrew the tables and the seats of them that sold doves" (Matt. 21: 12), and poured out the changer's money (John 2: 15). The problem was the same in both events. Hence, Jesus' statement, "...it is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves" (Matt. 21: 13; John 2: 16). These people had secularized the temple and were overcharging for the exchange of secular currency into that accepted by the temple.
Lessons to be drawn from the cleansing. In these purgings we see a different Jesus from the one often visualized today. Jesus had zeal (John 2: 17). True zeal based on knowledge will not tolerate such desecration. Much of religion today is characterized by secularism and socialism. Churches have become playgrounds and business opportunities for the frivolously and secularly minded. Jesus displayed righteous indignation. False doctrine and perversion made Jesus angry (Mk. 3: 5). Jesus taught in the purgings that religious compromise must not be practiced when such practice involves principles of right and wrong. Jesus' actions of disapproval were unmistakable. Everyone present knew exactly where the Lord stood.
Conclusion. What do you think Jesus would say and do if He were physically present to observe secularized religion today?