The Businessman of Jerusalem

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The Businessman of Jerusalem

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Mark 11:12-19

About this Video:

Jesus was passing by the temple court and noticed the large number of businessmen taking advantage of the crowds gathering there for worship. They were cheating customers and extorting money from the poor. Angered by what he saw, Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers and knocked over the displays of goods being sold by the evil vendors.

After rebuking these practices which were targeting those coming to worship, Jesus also confronted the temple priests, letting them know their acceptance of these ‘robbers’ in the court was wrong and needed to stop.

One businessman felt convicted by Jesus' response and made the decision to stop gouging and cheating his customers for the items of worship they were hoping to buy. The result is that his business began to thrive and his testimony revealed how Jesus had changed his life that day long ago.

Questions to Consider:

How do you think the businessmen felt when Jesus turned their tables over and called their business area a den of robbers?

Do you think the religious leaders at the temple approved of the businessmen selling animals in the temple courts?

For those traveling from far away, purchasing animals for sacrifice at the temple was an important ritual. How do you think they felt about Jesus' criticism of the money changers and thieves?

Background to the story:

This story book combines Mark 11:12-19 and Matthew 21:12-16.

Matthew’s use of three Old Testament Scriptures (included in this story book) emphasize Isa’s fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.

John’s version of Jesus cleansing the temple (John 2:12-25) is not used in this story. Also notice John puts this story in the beginning of his gospel instead of at the end like Matthew and Mark.

References - Mark 11:12-19, Matthew 21:12-16

The History Lesson

Luke 2:8–20

About this video: The birth of the Jesus began with a series of miraculous events which ended with his arrival in a humble animal stable. His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, were simply following God’s direction and made the journey by donkey to the town of Bethlehem where the baby was born. Then, in the days that followed, angels appeared and announced the birth to shepherds in nearby fields, who then sought the newborn Messiah foretold by their forefather years ago. Based on the story found in Luke 2, this video shows how the shepherds’ lives were changed that night as they became eyewitnesses to the birth of the Messiah. Questions to consider: How do you think the shepherds felt when the angel first appeared to them? Why do you think God chose the shepherds to announce the birth of his Son in Bethlehem? Why not tell the religious leaders? How would Joseph and Mary feel having a group of shepherds knocking on the door wanting to see the baby Jesus and telling them about the angel’s visit? Do you think any of the shepherds became followers of Jesus as he grew up? Background to the story: This story of the shepherds is recorded only in the book of Luke (2:8-20). Luke records three angelic visits preparing the world for the birth of Jesus. The angels visited Zechariah (John the Baptist’s father), Mary, and the shepherds. Luke often includes stories and reactions of common people who meet Jesus and hear his teachings. Reference - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+2%3a8-20&version=niv

Helping the Outcast

Mark 1:39–45

About this video: Jesus had a reputation of healing the sick and helping the lame to walk. So when a man with leprosy approached him for help, He responded to the man’s belief that he could help heal his diseased body. Jesus responded by completely healing the man as the crowds watched. Many people were amazed as they witnessed the healing miracle. Jesus then told the man to go show his clean body to the priests and temple leaders so that they would know that Jesus has the power of God. Going away, the man could hardly contain his joy and ran to show his family and friends that he was healed. No longer would he need to live separated from his family and friends. Questions to consider: How do you think the man’s family and friends felt when they saw he had been cleansed and was able to return to his home? Do you think his family and friends came to believe in Jesus because of his healing? How do you think the man acted toward his friends in the lepers’ camp after his healing? If you had a sick person and Jesus was nearby, would you take them to Jesus and ask for healing? Background to the story: This story follows Mark 1:39-45. Parallel stories for this book are found in Matthew 8:1-4 and Luke 5:12-16. (Matthew’s version follows Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.) Jesus breaks traditional cleanliness by touching the leprous man. It is a mark of Jesus' great compassion for him and his condition and Jesus' power over leprosy. Reference - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark+1%3a39-45&version=niv

The Bedmaker

Mark 2:1–12

About this Video: A man, lame from birth, hears that the miracle worker named Jesus is teaching in his village and calls his friends to help him go to see him. Not discouraged by the large crowds, the friends lower the man through the roof to be near Jesus, who recognizes the lame man’s faith and heals his body and soul. Most of the focus of this story is on Jesus' miraculous power in healing the lame man and the source of his authority to forgive sins. But the other part of this story is how this miracle changed the lame man long after Jesus left. What happened to him and what kind of work did he begin to do once he could walk and move about? Questions to Consider: What did the people in the crowded room think when the men on the roof began to open a hole to let someone enter from above? What do you think the lame man said to Jesus after being healed? Now that he could walk and move, what do you think the people said about Jesus after witnessing this healing? Background to the Story: It is easy to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” but proving that would be hard. On the other hand, saying, “Get up, take your mat and walk” is much easier to prove his power. Isa knew and understood that doubters would benefit from witnessing both. When the teachers of the law question his healing of the lame man, they were ultimately asking him to also prove he had the authority and power to forgive sins. Reference - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark+2%3a1-12&version=niv