For Whatsoever Things Were Written Aforetime Were Written For Our Learning, That We Through Patience And Comfort Of the Scriptures Might Have Hope - Part 1531

As believers in Jesus by faith, we often hear of the "one accord" that existed in the early church. For example, the first 3,000 souls on the day of Pentecost were in one accord, after repenting, and being water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus -- subsequently receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-38)

Also, in one accord were those who lifted up their voice to God and said, "Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is." (Acts 4:24)

Similarly, in one accord were they in Solomon's porch where "by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people ..." (Acts 4:33)

Far too often, however, the "one accord" established in the scriptures is not what people critical of the community of faith see, and these are quick to say so. Indeed, many non-believers point to confusion and discord within the religious culture, blaming the unwillingness of the faithful to get along that has led to the proliferation of new churches in a community. Each and every church seemingly different, while still claiming to be of the same faith. And, as we are witnessing these days, the appearance of division in the fold is leading to a growing opinion that one worldwide religion should provide sufficient representation for all faith groups.

But before we venture too far down this road (the fulfillment of prophecy not being the topic for this day) we should ask ourselves -- what did Jesus say? After all, Jesus is the Head of the new testament church -- yes? The same Jesus who was crucified being identified by Peter (standing with the eleven) as both Lord and Christ -- yes? And He is the foundation whereby we learn to follow Him, just like His disciples did when He walked this earth -- yes? The spiritual Rock which led the Israelites safely through the Red Sea -- yes?

Well, not only did Jesus (and His apostles) regularly divide public opinion with their doctrines, we learn that this same Jesus (who today fills us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope) literally cleared the temple of the money changers when He found those inside turning the place of worship into a den of thieves.

"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves." (Matthew 21:12)

"Those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; and would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel [or wares] through the temple." (Mark 11:15-16)

Why? Because, as Jesus taught, "It is written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves." (Mark 11:17; Matthew 21:13; Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11)

I am sure to those observers looking in from the outside at faith (without ever responding to Jesus' invitation to personally come, taste and see that He -- the Lord is good!) Jesus' actions looked more like discord, causing outright chaos than the one accord cited in the scriptural examples above. Still, in the midst of absolute confusion, as I am sure it must have been, we see the Lord Jesus performing miraculous healing for those whom Jesus had come to seek and to save. All in one accord. In faithful worship for the Master that had ventured into the temple that day.

Thus, even when casting out the money changers from the temple, Jesus never forgot those still inside the temple who were broken-hearted, and sick, and blind and lame.

Needless to say, but I will say it anyway -- when the chief priests and scribes saw the "wonderful" things that Jesus did, and the children crying in the temple, saying, "Hosanna to the son of David," they were sore displeased. (Matthew 21:13-16; Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11; Psalm 118:26; Psalm 8:2) In fact, so jealous were these chief priests and scribes that they asked Jesus, "Hear what these say?"

But Jesus knowing their hearts answered and said unto them, "Yea, have ye never read, "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise"?" (Matthew 21:16; Psalm 8:2)

[Interestingly, the Geneva translation (which was translated earlier than the KJV) scribes Psalm 8:2 somewhat differently: "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength because of Thine enemies, that Thou might still the enemy and the avenger." (Psalm 8:2)]

The emerging contrast regarding the two groups at the temple is also worth noting.  In the temple -- the poor and illiterate, the sick, the broken-hearted, the destitute, the unworthy of society set apart by the Lord of glory Himself -- in true one accord worshiping Jesus in the temple -- triumphant and victorious, having recognized that the promised Messiah from afore was right there in the midst -- “Hosanna to the son of David.”

Outside the temple, the learned scribes accompanied by the self-righteous and haughty in their hearts Pharisees collectively despising Jesus, determined in their hearts to kill Him once and for all. But notably, and for all to see the latter was silenced by the children happily preaching the gospel ... the Lord using the foolish and base things of the world to confound the wise. The pictorial analogy enough for me to equate Revelation 3:8-9 with this example.

Thankfully, we don't have to depend on those "outside" of faith to determine how "one accord" is achieved because the Lord knows the inner desires of all our hearts. Thus, even in the midst of confusion, it is He that shall sit as a refiner and purifier ... and purge us as gold and silver, that we may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:3)

And it is this same Lord Jesus who even in the midst of chaos and never ending confusion can reach the hearts of people with His love and mercy and grace, as evidenced by the example herein.

May the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus; that ye may with one mind and with one mouth glorify God; even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:4-7)

Stand in the offering plate.