Happy Easter to you!

He was physically dead, but now is risen -- Christ is. The tomb is empty. Has an echo in there. 

You know euphemisms are a way to convey something without actually saying a specific word ..that may be considered too unpopular, too awkward, too blunt, or just too direct in our society. Like with the term, "Death." 

Did ya know our society has over 200 different ways to say or describe death and dying. Yup does! 

I often use the funny ways to refer to death.. with my friends.. but not when near those who have lost a loved one. Some polite Euphemisms etc for it are.. 

• Asleep
• At Home
• At Peace
• At Rest
• Kicked The Bucket
• Passed
• Expired
• Bravely Fought ___ (insert the applicable condition or disease)
• Called Home (It’s amazing how almost 100% think they were)
• Called Away To His or Her Reward (Some won’t like their reward)
  
• Deceased
  
• Reached room temperature
• Slipped Away Quietly
• Succumbed
• Swan Song
• Taken By ___ (insert the applicable condition, disease, or accident)
  
• Bereft Of Life
• Bid Adieu To Earthly Scenes
• Said Farewell To This World
  
• Entered The Regions Of Immortal Felicity
• Eternal Sabbath
• Exchanged Worlds
  
• Fought The Good Fight (in reference to 2 Timothy 4:7)
• Was Gathered To His People
• Gave Up The Ghost
• Got Their Wings
  
• Bought The Farm
  
• Cash In One’s Chips
• Is Checkin’ Out The Grass From The Other Side (Underneath)
• Climbed The Golden Staircase
  
• Dirt Nap
  
• Final Curtain Call
  
• Went Into The Fertilizer Business
  
• Became Worm Food
• Went To Davy Jones’s Locker
• Juggling Halos Now (..as if!)
• Was Just Stamped “Return To Sender”
• Kicked The Oxygen Habit
  

People just don’t want to say or think about that “D” word. Often, when theories of death and what happens after death are discussed, you might hear “We think..,” “We hope..,” but hey guess what.. the Bible uses these two words, “We know!” (See 2 Corinthians 5:1). I like that, cuz it’s kind of an important subject huh. Knowing is far better than guessing, and being ready sure beats almost ready. The Bible says... 

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:12-13

We know our time on earth and our bodies on earth (as they are now) are temporary, and our permanent residence and a new body awaits each of us up in heaven. He’s your mansion builder. Is that a really big home there, or a new body for you?  

In his book “The Grave Robber,” author Mark Batterson says,

There is nothing wrong with wanting to live a long life, but death isn’t something we (spiritually reborn believers) dread. Death was defeated two thousand years ago. And to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. So death is something we can actually anticipate because it’s not the end. It’s a new beginning. And many miracles we hoped for on earth will finally be fulfilled in heaven.

Remember post-resurrection how Christ ate fish with the guys. Jesus still has a physical body today, and he can fly so to speak. Think about His ascension on up. You and I will one day have resurrected bodies like His body is, and we’ll get to do stuff he does. And one day soon the Rapture will happen. And one day after the Second Coming the third heaven that’s beyond the second heaven with all those stars will come down -- heaven and earth will become one here during the millenium here with him as our King. 

Take heart, believer. Be encouraged in Christ today. You can say the “D” word without any fear or doubt! Jesus chose to take up residence in His earthly body, and He willingly laid down His life so that He could be physically resurrected and then take up residence in you by His Holy Spirit. You are bought with a price, and at that moment when you turn (repent), and trust the Lord (believe with saving faith).. at the moment of your salvation, God, through His Spirit, takes up residence in your body, and your life is no longer your own. It’s His! You are a brand new creation. The old is gone and the new has come!

Give praise to God, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made. The Bible declares that you are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). Dwell in that beautiful truth. God specifically thought of you. God delights in you. God desires for you to love Him and to glorify Him with the life He has so freely given you.

As Paul tells us, death has no victory and has lost its sting because Jesus has conquered the grave!

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Not my will, Your’s is far better (Read more on heaven).

Because He lives and you are in His hands, you too, shall live forever! Secure!  

John 1:12 - But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God--

John 5:24 - Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

John 20:31 - But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

1 John 1:2 - And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

1 John 2:25 - And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.

1 John 3:23 - And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us.

1 John 4:9 - This is how God's love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.

1 John 5:11 - And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

1 John 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true--in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

God’s hands are big enough to bless you. Jesus would lay his hands on people and bless them. He does the same for you. Isaiah 62:3 says, “The Lord will hold you in his hand for all to see—a splendid crown in the hand of God” (NLT).

God’s hands are scarred to never forget you. In heaven, the only scars will be on Jesus. Do you think God can forget you? He has a constant reminder of you in his nail-scarred hands. The Bible says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion for the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV).

God’s hands are strong enough to keep you eternally secure. John 10:28-29 says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish . . . My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (NIV. Rick Warren on hands).

Come to Jesus.. or come back to Him as you are. Clean your own life up and then come? No, better idea -- come to Jesus now as you are..but willing to be changed..willing to cooperate as He cleans you up. This fisherman catches his fish so to speak and then cleans em all from the inside out. Just know that His sanctification is a lifetime process. 

Once you turn, trust and put your life in God’s hands, then nobody can snatch you out of them. You may wonder, “Can’t a person just jump out?” How big and strong do you think your loving Father’s hands really are? Death can’t even take you away from God. 

1. What is the meaning of Easter? Yeah, what does Easter even mean?

2. What is the origin of the Easter bunny and Easter eggs? Due to the pagan origins of the Easter bunny and Easter eggs, should Christians participate in all that stuff?

3. Should Christians celebrate Easter? Should Christians observe the Easter holiday? Is Easter truly a Christian celebration?

4. Is Easter a pagan holiday? Does the Easter holiday have pagan origins? Does Easter come from paganism?

5. What are the origins of Easter? How did the Easter holiday originate? Where did the Easter celebration come from?

6. What is it really for.. Easter Sunday? What does Easter have to do with Jesus’ resurrection? shouldn’t Easter be called Resurrection Sunday?

7. Why do we celebrate Easter? Why should we celebrate Easter? Is Easter a holiday that is worth celebrating?

8. Who was Ishtar, and is there any connection between Ishtar and Easter? Is the word Easter derived from Ishtar or Eostre?

9. What is an Easter Vigil? Should..or How should a Christian observe an Easter Vigil?

10. How is or was the date for Easter determined?

11. Got some more Questions about Easter? Where did all those Easter traditions come from? Are they really necessary? Should Christians even be into all those?

12. Huh!.. What is Easter Monday? What happened on the Monday after Jesus’ death and resurrection?

13. Need an Easter Bible reading plan?

14. Should Christians celebrate Easter on Sunday? On a Sunday can Christians actually participate in the aspects of Easter that have pagan origins?

15. What is Pascha and how is that related to Easter? Why does Pascha fall on a different day than Easter?

16. Sup with the Christian and Holidays?

Is Jesus really physically alive now? Yep. Lots of eyewitnesses saw him post-tomb. 

Sup with all that prevents me from celebrating this Historical event that can impact my life today? 

What happens when you let the fleshly nature have its way? The flesh demands more and more and more. Never satisfied inside you. I say crucify the fleshly nature.

Just say NO to the flesh with its perv-passions. Instead, have red hot passion for the Spirit and His will for you. That’s way better -- God loves you! 

What to do with the fleshly nature in me -- starve it to death, don’t feed it only to hear it yell for MORE. (Starve you? No, not you, your old nature that craves all that is not good for you). Feed your human spirit with the truth of the word. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

“For a soul is far too precious to be ransomed by mere earthly wealth. There is not enough of it in all the earth to buy eternal life for just one soul, to keep it out of hell.” Psalm 49:8-9

"We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true.." 1 John 5:19-20.

And say NO to this corrupt world system, but say YES to the Jesus of the Bible. Do not be conformed to this world system. Die to self daily, live pure in heart, disciplined with Jesus as Lord, and come alive into God. Regardless of how you feel cuz feelings can be so fickle. Live in the word. Yes, intimately, godly, on-fire, obediently with JOY. Not religiously cold or luke-warm spiritually. (See Gal. 5:16-24, Rom. 12:1-2)

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

I so enjoy Easter only cuz I love my time with Him. Think about it, if Jesus didn’t die on that lonely cross on Calvary’s hill for you and me, and if He didn’t rise again from the dead on the third day.. then nothing matters. We should just feast, suck down a lot of beer and party hardy. Sure, like a proverbial wild party animal (all that’d be moronic huh. Sin is never a good idea, cuz it destroys lives and God hates it). Come to Him now..candidly, bodly, humbly.   

"What good has it done me if, merely from a human point of view, I fought with wild animals at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised at all, let us eat and drink enjoying ourselves now, for tomorrow we die." ~ Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:32 amp

“Right after Jesus died on the cross: The earth shook, and rocks broke, and tombs opened, and many godly men and women who had died came back to life again. After Jesus’ resurrection, they left the cemetery and went into Jerusalem, and appeared to many people there.” Matthew 27:51-53 

Happy Easter..On lockdown! Q. Has the ardent relational zeal and devotion you had faded a bit? Let's see that fixed! Easter.. now even is a good time to be and walk clean in the Lord. Yes, it's a good day for a "Spring Cleaning" spiritually. Once red hot passionate Christians (is that you?) really do need this from time to time.

How are you? I hope well on every level. Just checking in.

Has the ardent relational zeal and devotion faded away? Easter.. now even is a good time to be and walk clean in the Lord. Yes, it's a good day for a "Spring Cleaning" spiritually. Once red hot passionate Christians (is that you?) really do need this from time to time.

"If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." —2 Timothy 2:21

Yep, and Easter-time is a really good time for a Spring cleaning. Am thinking about Christ and “The Cleansing of the Temple” — it was a really good thang! Yup, even Jesus had to address, rebuke and drain the swamp. How 'bout your temple, are there some things to clean out for good?

Have you left your first-love? Are you icy stone cold, miserable luke-warm or hot spiritually? Worldly hardhearted or moldable by God with soft tender heart? 

We all need a good case of spiritual heart-burn, like those guys on the Emmaus Road experienced.

Heads up, buttercup. Drifting, straying away, or backsliding ..it ain’t really beyond me or any of us doing. Don't bail on the Lord! It's time to get close! 

You show me a person who has taken that stride.. one who has walked away from their walk of biblical faith, and I’ll show you a series of smaller steps that basically led to that lame decision. Think about it..when someone backslides away from Jesus, it’s generally very subtle and very gradual the digression. It’s sorta like cutting off the good fuel to a wellbuilt train going under full power in the right direction down the tracks. The train doesn’t suddenly stop, or fall left off the way. Typically, the train still apparently progresses.. goes on because it has some momentum. Sure, but it slows down gradually, gradually and eventually comes to a stop. It’s the same way with our spiritual lives. As we’re involved in fueling our Christian lives and moving forward, there is lots of power. We abide and the Spirit empowers us to change the world. But then one day we stop doing the basic things that we need to do in order to grow healthy spiritually. We’re still chugging along, but we’re slowing down some. Then our progress gets slower and slower until one day it finally comes to a complete standstill there. This is why we all need to have the holy fear of God, and humbly keep as much distance from sin as we possibly can. What sins have attracted you most in the past? Do you steer clear from the areas or people where those sins can easily be found? An elderly man who was known for his godly life was asked, “What do you do when you get tempted?” The man replied,

“I just look up to Heaven and say, ‘Lord, your property is in danger.’”

That is a great thing to say. The Bible tells us, “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15–16 NLT). And 2 Timothy 2:21 says, “If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work” (NLT). We need to live a sanctified life, which means being set apart. We need to be holy, but we also need to be wholly committed to Christ.

Now.. I say Come to..or come back to Jesus Christ today. Need a healthy online-only-church service? Here’s where I go..  Harvest.org/live

Don’t put it off — you know too many people procrastinate with a mañana attitude with this most important choice. When ya stumble run to God, not away from. When ya fall. Get up and run to God, not away from Him, or your Bible, or away from a healthy church, godly friends, or an on-fire born again pastor. May I ask.. Have you left your first love? Have you somehow gotten kind of distracted and taken a stride from your Master’s side? 

Got problems with your parents, spouse, boss at work or other relationships that bug you — that you can’t fix? Has God been trying to get your attention. I say, Have all your sins under the blood, hide no area or sin of darkness — tell on yourself to God. Bring it all out into the light. Turn, confess, forsake the idols and besetting sins that can destroy and hurt many lives. What do you talk about most, think about most — where do your eyes go, does your money and free time go? Have you earnestly been diligently sowing to the Spirit daily, or primarily to the world, to your fleshly, or to elsewhere?

Q. Have you ever been closer to the Lord, believer, than you are right now..than you are today? Have you been asleep in the light? Have you been seeking Jesus first.. and His specific will for you? Are you alive and awake, or stiff and cold — dead? What’s your temp? Are you spiritually cold, luke-warm, red hot? Do you have a reputation in the community for being alive and strong spiritually, but ain’t? If so, then you are backslidden spiritually. Not a prob too big for God. He will forgive. Let’s see that fixed. What does God say?The Bible says: And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

“You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”"

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

“Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And [I will write on him] My new name.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ‘

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — 

“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” See Rev. 3:1-19. And Earlier to the angel of the church of Ephesus write (in verses2:2-5) "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent."

Reminds me of these words: "If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall."

Pete slid away. Remember? But how could Peter, part of the Lord’s inner circle, part of the three.. backslide and end up denying Christ? Seems that Judas could not even wait to go do what he did. Even though he had the best teaching and teacher, Judas would blindly follow his own course all the way into a real place called Hell. Man, have you seen rational people, who knew better go do the most horrible and insane things imaginable.. under the power of sin? I have. Sin makes people stupid. King Solomon, who was known for all his wisdom, also openly and blatantly sinned against God. That is why we need to live cautiously with the holy fear of God.. be careful with how we walk. We think we can handle some sins. We say, "Oh, this sin won’t be a problem for me. I am know for being strong and am very strong." But listen Buckeroo, that is the beginning of a spiritual backslide.

Put your hope primarily in Christ today, not in preachers, or in a career, or in a church or denomination, or in some moral as your close friend, or in bucks, banks, investments.. or in politicians, or even in yourself. Who needs any idol? Have you felt discouraged, hopeless, disillusioned lately?

The Bible says, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

The Bible tells us that Jesus made many appearances after His resurrection. On one occasion, He appeared to 500 people. Another time, He appeared along shore as the disciples were out fishing on the Sea of Galilee. And when they came in, He served them breakfast. John’s Gospel records the after-breakfast conversation Jesus had with Peter:

Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? "He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."He said to him, "Feed My lambs."He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? "He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? "Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep." (John 21:15–17)

Notice how many times Jesus asked that question: three times. How many times did Peter deny the Lord? Three times. Maybe there is a correlation between the two, and maybe not. But Jesus was recommissioning Peter. This serves as a reminder that no matter what we have done, no matter what sins we have committed, there is always room for forgiveness. Maybe you are in a backslidden state right now. Maybe you have hit bottom like Peter did, and you don’t see a way out. There is always a way out. It is a way up, and it is through Jesus Christ. Take His hand and accept His forgiveness as you turn from your sin.

Have you been a hypocrite, or seen too many of them before? Come anyways. There's always room for one more. You don't have to clean up your life first to come, or have it already figured out first to come. Jesus catches his fish and then cleans them (it's called sanctification). Just admit it and quit it, ditch the sin. Be forgiven -- come as you are!

You know that your loving heavenly Father God knows it all anyway, so be quick to run to and tell on yourself. Jesus knows what’s best for you. Did you know that He totally understands the struggles and what you’ve been going through.He way-fully knows what are feeling now and have been going through. Yes, right now! Hebrews 4:15 says we do not have a High Priest who cannot Sympathize with our Weaknesses. Jesus was in all points TESTED as we are yet he is without Sin.What Goes Together Good With Simple Bible Teaching? Wise Application!Jesus Christ loves you so So SO much and He completely understands what you...what we are going through. It may seem like God is far away, ignores you, and does not even care.. yet this could not be further from the truth. Read that again.. like 100 times until it sinks in.

• JESUS UNDERSTANDS what YOU ARE GOING THROUGH Right Now
• You can Call Out to Him with your Questions, Concerns, Fears.
• Never be Afraid to Commit an UNKNOWN FUTURE to a KNOWN GOD.

Let it rain, God. We need another downpour again. We do, and our nation does. I pray today that God will turn our nation back, that individual Americans one by one turn back to Him. People repent and believe receiving free forgiveness and born again one by one. Does your Land need this turning as well--do you need Him? I pray for a biblical revival in His church, that God will use the circumstances for good and give us a spiritual awakening.

“IF MY PEOPLE, who are called by my name, Will Humble Themselves and Pray and Seek my face and Turn from their Wicked Ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their Sin and will Heal their Land." 2 Chr. 7:14 #emph.mine

Good idea. Muse on and Meditate upon the truths in these Scriptures..

• Luke 19
• Ephesians 4:32
• Hebrews 4:15
• Luke 19:11
• 2 Chronicles 7:14
• Luke 19:37–40
• Luke 19:45–48
• Mark 11:15
• 1 John 1:8–9

Do you set the temperature in the room, or do you merely reflect it? To put it another way, are you changing the world, or is the world changing you?

Are you a like a thermometer or more like a thermostat? You know how both devices deal with the current temperature, but their uses are different. 

A thermometer simply reflects the temperature, but a thermostat actually determines what the temperature will be. A thermostat can be adjusted in such a way to vastly improve the environment and to the real needs of the room. I am thinking about those in that area. 

How are those around you? Cold? How are your closest friends? Icy cold or lukewarm. I hope not. 

Spiritually are you Cold, Lukewarm, or Red Hot? Are you dead inside, carnally minded, or spiritually balanced in Jesus? God wants you passionate about the word of God -- Jesus Christ.

"Be fervent in spirit." ~ Paul, Romans 12:11

"O Thou who camest from above, the pure celestial fire to impart kindle a flame of sacred love upon the mean altar of my heart. There let it for thy glory burn with inextinguishable blaze, and trembling to its source return, in humble prayer and fervent praise. Jesus, confirm my heart's desire to work and speak and think for thee; still let me guard the holy fire, and still stir up thy gift in me. Ready for all thy perfect will, my acts of faith and love repeat, till death thy endless mercies seal, and make my sacrifice complete." ~ Charles Wesley

WHY WAIT ANOTHER DAY TO KNOW AND SERVE THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY?  MAY I ASK.. ARE YOU CURRENTLY RED HOT PASSIONATE SPIRITUALLY.. FOR THE LIVING WORD OF GOD (THAT’S THE LORD), ARE YOU MORE LUKEWARM SPIRITUALLY.. OR PERHAPS EVEN CHILLY INSIDE?

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." —1 Peter 3:15

"Our God is a consuming fire and will destroy earth's temporal things; He seeks to purify our lives for service to the King of kings." ~ David DeHaan

Easter-time and “The Cleansing of the Temple” -- a good thang! Remember, even Jesus had to address and drain the swamp. It happened before His physical resurrection. Man, you know how Jerusalem was full of the puffed up the religious and legalistic swamp at that time.

What’s not to love about the swamp getting rebuked and drained? Nothing! 

Q: How many times did Jesus cleanse the temple? 

A: There are two recorded occasions of this.

The Gospel of John states that Jesus cleansed the temple early on in His ministry, but the other Gospels place the temple-cleansing near the end of His ministry. So who among the gospel writers was correct? All four were right on. 

The second chapter of John explains that during the Passover, Jesus went into the temple in Jerusalem, He made a whip of cords, and then drove out the foolish money changers who had been doing business there for great gain. They seriously exploited the situation for selfish gain. 

Jesus also poured out the money they gained, and turned over the tables (John 2:13–15). He was a man’s man and didn’t mess around. God is not religious (has never been) -- real ministers feed the flock what’s good for health, not fleece the flock due to greed. False teachers today are also greedy. 

Jesus said to those who sold doves, “Take These things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” (John 2:16).

The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) also tell of Jesus entering the temple, driving out those who bought and sold, overturning their tables, and telling the crowd that they had turned the temple into a “den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12–13; Mark 11:15–17; Luke 19:45–46).

Some Christians believe these accounts describe the same event, but there is a problem. John describes the cleansing of the temple as occurring during the first Passover (of three) mentioned in his Gospel. Meanwhile, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all describe the temple-cleansing as taking place just days before Christ’s Crucifixion. Is this a contradiction

Some Christians believe these accounts describe the same event. Nope.

See the Gospel of John (2:18) and the whole context. The Jews questioned Christ as to His authority for acting as He did. They were spiritually blinded by their prejudice, for as Trapp remarks, “They might have seen sign enough, in His so powerfully ejecting those money-changers. The disciples call it zeal, the Jews rashness.” The Jews were always asking for signs (Matt. 12:38; 16:4), and this was the one thing that kept them out of the power and blessing of the Gospel (1 Cor. 1:22). Remember the prediction (John 2:19-21). Christ predicted His resurrection in His reply to the Jews. The word of God never missed and still doesn't.

Different writers, “pen down” information from their own different respective perspectives. What do you think of apparent contradictions in the Bible?

JUST BECAUSE TWO ACCOUNTS IN THE BIBLE ARE KIND OF SIMILAR, IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY REFER TO THE SAME ACCOUNT HAPPENING. YOU CAN FULLY TRUST THE WORD!

Similarity in literature ...does not necessarily equal sameness. I mean just because two accounts like in the Bible are similar, it does not mean they refer to the same thing happening. In this case, the solution is actually quite simple. Jesus cleansed the temple on at least two occasions. Christ was and is wisely zealous. He loves His people and still hates to see them getting ripped off. 

The first time was near the very beginning of His ministry, as was described in John. The second time was just prior to His death, burial and resurrection as is described in the Synoptics.

The important most thing today is not to act or be religious. It’s for you and me to know Jesus well (yes, it can happen as you turn and fully trust Him), and to make Him well known. Facebook.com/shareJesus

Impact those in your world with the Gospel..by simply knowing God well and biblically making Him well known! Be bold. Take the news of His glory to the lost, news of His wonders to one and all" (Ps 93:3). Sure, take His Message to the lost!

Does the Bible contain errors, contradictions, or discrepancies? Have you had some trouble in your mind about some apparent contradictions? 

If we read the Bible at face value, without a preconceived bias for finding errors, we will find it to be a coherent, consistent, and relatively easy-to-understand book. Yes, there are difficult passages. Yes, there are verses that appear to contradict each other. We must remember that the Bible was written by approximately 40 different authors over a period of around 1,500 years. Each writer wrote with a different style, from a different perspective, to a different audience, for a different purpose. We should expect some minor differences. However, a difference is not a contradiction. It is only an error if there is absolutely no conceivable way the verses or passages can be reconciled. Even if an answer is not available right now, that does not mean an answer does not exist. Many have found a supposed error in the Bible in relation to history or geography only to find out that the Bible is correct once further archaeological evidence is discovered.

We often receive questions along the lines of “Explain how these verses do not contradict!” or “Look, here is an error in the Bible!” Admittedly, some of the things people bring up are difficult to answer. However, it is our contention that there are viable and intellectually plausible answers to every supposed Bible contradiction and error. There are books and websites available that list “all the errors in the Bible.” Most people simply get their ammunition from these places; they do not find supposed errors on their own. There are also books and websites available that refute every one of these supposed errors. The saddest thing is that most people who attack the Bible are not truly interested in an answer. Many “Bible attackers” are even aware of these answers, but they continue to use the same old shallow attacks again and again.

So, what are we to do when someone approaches us with an alleged Bible error or apparent contradiction? 

1) Prayerfully study the Scriptures including the context and see if there is a simple solution.  

2) Do some research using some of the fine Bible commentaries, “Bible defense” books, and biblical research websites.  

3) Ask your pastors or church leaders to see if they can find a solution.  

4) If there is still no clear answer after steps 1), 2), and 3) are followed, we trust God that His Word is truth and that there is a solution that just simply has not been realized yet (2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17).

Want to read more on this? Check out: The Big Book of Bible Difficulties by Geisler & Howe