EXTREME MAKEOVER: TEMPLE EDITION

Jesus headed straight for the Temple. The "hosannas" of His triumphal ride through the Eastern Gate were only a blessed memory.

Some had wondered if Jesus would even make it to this week's Passover. He would not have missed it for the world.

The Sandhedrin (the ruling Jewish authority) was determined to destroy Jesus. The High Priest was unequivocal, "it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not." (John 11:50).

As He walked onto the Temple Mount the Lord's eyes fastened once again the moneychangers. They were back. Three years earlier He had driven them away. "Make not my Father's house a house of merchandise!"He cried. (John 2:16)

Quickening His pace Jesus exclaimed, "It is written, My house is the house of prayer...you've made it a den of thieves!" (Luke 19:45). The moneychangers offered feeble protest then scrambled away as their tables were turned and their paraphernalia rolled on the pavement.

We shake our heads and point an accusing finger at these rapacious predators, but I cannot help but wonder what the Lord would think of the scandalous exchanges we have made in God's House.

They exchanged sacrifices for cash, but WE HAVE BARTERED AWAY OUR CONVICTIONS FOR CONVERSATIONS. The self-styled "Emergents" tell us that we are too convinced. They propose a "conversation" rather than a definite conversion.

Pastor Rob Bell of the Mars Hill Bible Church belivesw that Christians are too sure of themselves. He wonders if the Bible is accurate. He suggests that the verses about hell and judgment are not literal. He is quoted in the recent Time magazine syaing, "I have long wondered if there is a massive shift coming in what it means to be a Christian...something new is in the air."

He's right. There is a shift. But it is not new. It is as old as the Garden of Eden. Listen to the deceiver, "Hath God said?" Adam and Eve bit into his lie.

They exchanged sacrificial lambs for coins, but WE ARE SOLD ON PARTIES AND FEASTINGS IN EXCHANGE FOR PRAYER AND FASTINGS. First the church had a party. Now the party has church--and Church Lite at that! Gone is the conviction of sin. Gone are the tears of repentance. Gone is the sanctifying influence of the Church in our culture.

The moneychangers were driven from the Temple for making God's house a house of merchandise, but last Sunday professing Christians went to churches and purchased dinners, pastries, coffee and soft drinks, religious books and even religious jewelry. The ringing of the Church bell has been exchanged for the ringing of the cash register.

The moneychangers were anxious to set up their tables right in the Temple Court so that they could sell to worshippers. Tragically the professing church has been infliltrated with a love of the world that renders holiness of heart and as optional by most. It is particularly grievous to see Christian leaders mocking the holy life. WE HAVE TRADED AWAY HOLINESS FOR A WORLDLINESS THAT RENDERS THE CHURCH DEVOID OF PURITY, POWER, AND PURPOSE!

And what has happened to our zeal to seek and to win the lost? Winning souls is no longer our all consuming passion. We are at ease in Zion. WE HAVE EXCHANGED OUR ZEAL FOR EASE. The shrinking Church in America is not only evidence of cultural decay, it is an indictment of a church that is too lazy to labor. Jesus said, "The harvest is plenteous," but "the laborers are few." How true.

What have we accomplished for these exchanges? Are we seeing great revival? Are we witnessing souls being swept into the Kingdom? Are our pews filled to overflowing?

Jesus asked "What will a man give in exchange for His own soul?" We would ask, "What will a Church give in exchange for its very existence?"

We have heard of a popular program called "Extreme Makeover." In one version people are dramatically changed through special diets, new wardrobes, and make-overs. In another version delapidated houses are torn down and replaced with lovely new homes.

It seems to me that it is time for another version. EXTREME MAKEOVER: TEMPLE EDITION! May the Risen Christ send forth His Spirit into His Church and "Revive Us Again!"