There is something to be said for enthusiasm but zeal sometimes has its issues. Some time ago I was at a Presbytery meeting in which there was a discussion about changing worship styles and providing support for churches which were seeking to learn and grow in their worship experiences. An elder came stomping forward, took the microphone and unleashed a tirade. He said, “You all are not Presbyterian, you’re not EVEN CHRISTIAN!!” He continued to yell of our lack of spiritual depth, ending with expletives that I have not generally heard in Presbytery gatherings. The moderator eventually brought the hostile barrage to an end and the elder was ushered outside to cool down. Shortly afterwards another member of the Elder’s church stepped forward and said: “I have to apologize on his behalf; he is just so zealous for the Lord.” Another, older elder came to the microphone and said, “I disagree. I’ve seen zeal. He was a self-centered jerk.”

Many of us have experienced this phenomenon of the person who is so passionate about what he or she believes that she or he is willing to be obnoxious, hostile, and uncaring about other people’s feelings. It’s a pretty common experience. Unfortunately far too many people have seen this type of hostility and turned away from Christianity or fellowship of the Church. Behaving as an obnoxious and angry idiot is the opposite of showing Christian maturity. But some then ask, “Then what’s up with Jesus thrashing the money changers?”

It becomes a challenge for many of us to see Jesus’ behavior at the temple and not be confused. For some, the idea of Jesus being forceful and direct in this manner contradicts the “nice guy” Jesus they have in mind. Part of the problem is we don’t understand why the money changers were there in the first place.

The Money Changers were there because the Roman coins bore the image of Caesar and an inscription identifying Caesar as “god almighty.” This would be considered a graven image and could not be brought into the temple. The solution became to provide “Temple Coins” that could be exchanged for Roman coins. And in the process, why not make a few dollars for the Temple? But unlike bake sales, this meant that those who were poor were going to have a harder time buying what they needed in order to be right with God. The exchange was repeated again when one bought an animal for sacrifice, and again when one offered gratitude offerings. The money changers became a means by which relationship with God was exchanged for profitability.

It’s the danger that comes with zeal. Passion and zeal tend to flow from our egos and not from our relationship with Christ. The money changers fulfilled a role of maintaining law and providing funds for what appeared to be good things. But in the process they were insensitive to the destruction and pain they were causing.

The solution was to sensitize them. More specifically it was to show that nothing that separated people from God would be tolerated. So what’s the difference between that and someone forcing their point of view? Well, this is Jesus which has to count for something. And in this case the cause merited the force. In Jesus’ mind, nothing could be tolerated as a barrier between the people and God. Jesus accepted the consequences of this action; and Jesus stood with those who were on the outside, seeking to be acceptable to God. Jesus was willing to die on behalf of these people. To be safe in terms of relationship with Jesus, it’s a good idea not to get in the way of people being right with God.

The fact that Jesus was passionate and zealous for what is right is not the same for our desire to “fight for what is right.” Jesus was deeply concerned for those unable to experience God’s grace – not about his own feelings or personal opinions. Jesus was motivated by love and compassion for those who were on the outside, not offended by not getting his way. In some ways the differences are subtle, but important. They mark the difference between caring deeply and acting; and lashing out selfishly. But that difference is very important. We need to be people who act out of deep feelings of caring and sense of compassion. We need to live as faithful Christians who are willing to put their hearts into the relationship with Christ. In that way we can be people of real faithfulness.

Peace,
Pastor Jack

Music Coordinator / Praise Team Leader;

Children’s Music Director;

Choir Director

Organist

If you know of someone interested in applying please contact the office, or Nate L., or Dave W. of the Personnel Team.  Individuals interested in applying are welcome to submit a resume and cover letter.  We hope to begin interviews in coming weeks.

June 6, 2012 “Every New Beginning is From Another Beginning’s End”
Graduation Sunday, Summer Kick Off BBQ following Talk Back Time.

June 10, 2012 “The Future – Should We Be Worried”

June 17, 2012 “Why Does God Allow Cancer to Exist?”

June 24, 2012 “Are My Neighbors Going to Heaven?”

July 1, 2012 “What Happened to Civil Discourse?”
After Church BBQ – following the Talk Back

July 8, 2012 “Family, Can’t Live With ‘Em, Can’t Live Without Them.”

July 15, 2012 “Help! I’m a Caregiver! How Can I Survive?”

July 22, 2012 “Presbyterian!? What Does That Mean?”
Guest Chef: Sarah Moor-Nokes, Associate Executive Presbyter of Winnebago Presbytery.

July 29, 2012 “Why Isn’t Life Fair?”

August 5, 2012 “What is Our Responsibility to the Earth”
Outdoor Worship, BBQ, and Kick off to Vacation Bible School

August 12, 2012 To Be Announced

August 19, 2012 “What Is Our Responsibility to Others Financiall?”

August 26, 2012 “I Know God Forgives All, And He’s Forgiven Me, But What If I Can’t Forgive Myself?”

September 2, 2012 “What Was The Question Again?” (What Role Does our Intellect Have in Faith?)

A hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when it is set to ‘T’ (Telecoil) setting.  The loop system consists of a microphone to pick up the spoken word; an amplifier which processes the signal which is then sent through the final piece; and the loop cable, a wire placed around the perimeter of a room or sanctuary to act as an antenna that radiates the magnetic signal to the hearing aid.

If you wear hearing aids you will need to find out if you have a wireless telecoil receiver in your hearing aids (most do, although that feature is not always turned on.)  The t-coil program is sometimes called the telephone program.  If there is a push button on your instrument it is likely the telecoil program is an option but it may not have been activated by your audiologist.

Please contact your audiologist to find out if your instruments have the telecoils or email: Wisconsin hearing loop advocate Dr. Juliette Sterkens: jsterkens@new.rr.com

Hearing assist receivers are also available for individuals who do not have hearing aids but need additional hearing support.  These can be found at the ushers stand in the narthex.

Elizabeth Gorman, Clinical & Educational Audiologist from Agnesian HealthCare will be at church on Sunday (April 15th) to answer questions related to the hearing loop.  Elizabeth will be available in the sanctuary following both the 8 am and 10:30 am services as well as at 10:15 am.