Comments on: MARCH 13 – CHECKMATE IN THE TEMPLE

By: Rev. Stu Buisch

Rev. Stu Buisch — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 09:18:03 +0000

thank you so much. Perhaps it is not simply a double entendre but a triple or more. Perhaps today Christ would rebuild his body – the church. The Body of Christ certainly encounters destructive blows.
well put within in our current life situation too. indeed the stimulus package and bailouts, penzie schemes and so much more compel us to trust deeply in a God whose economics defy every ‘wise’ one in our world.

By: Maureen Nalezny

Maureen Nalezny — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:01:36 +0000

Sheldon, thanks SO much for mentioning Jesus’ wit and playfulness with words. I always think about the Lord as a fun and funny companion, despite his serious topics. It’s what I believe, and you nailed it!

By: judyjane1

judyjane1 — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:32:37 +0000

Right on, John (of the 21st C.) You got it. The Gospel of today for TODAY!

By: John Hackman

John Hackman — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:07:14 +0000

Perhaps the unintended message from Jesus and his band of reformers, coming out of hiding from John’s murderer Herod Antipas facing Caiaphas the Jewish leader and compromiser for money in the Temple, is a modern metaphorical story about the high energy cost of raising one pound of meat from cattle versus one pound of vegatables. The ratio is eight to one. “I am cutting down my consumption of meat,” I tell my many vegan friends.

By: ted

ted — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:48:35 +0000

Thanks for the gentle reminder about priorities!

By: barbara wenger

barbara wenger — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:03:11 +0000

Thanks Sheldon. Just one thing. When you talk about the Jews (like when the Jews questioned Jesus’ authority)…remember that Jesus was a Jew from birth to his death (and how his people saw him after resurrection). Talking about Jews instead of “religious leaders” could feed into anti-semitic thinking of some good church folks.

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:50:04 +0000

I agree with Rich, and wonder if the metaphor would be more that the church has begun to think and act LIKE Wall street and everything is a numbers game. The church planting numbers, the membership numbers, the building fund numbers… The mega church numerically is admired and held up for applause in unison with Larry King … if the “numbers” are not going up we see it as failure. hummmm

By: Grace K. Brunner

Grace K. Brunner — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:41:00 +0000

How nice to read these comments every morning when I turn on the computer. I would enjoy this throughout the year, but thanks at least for the Lenten thoughts.

By: Rich Sisco

Rich Sisco — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:26:29 +0000

Thanks for the challenge in the last line. I/we get very concerned, even pre-occupied with church finances. We have a chili supper fundraiser at church on Saturday and worship on Sunday. I’ll try to make Sunday the more important day.

By: Jeff Hochstetler

Jeff Hochstetler — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:25:46 +0000

Nicely done Sheldon! Thank you for your meaningful devotion. I’m reading this at your alma mater, Christopher Dock, and I do not think they could be more proud of you here. Blessings as you move one day closer towards graduation.