MERCHANDISE

 

Monday, April 22, 2024

 

MERCHANDISE

 

2 Peter 2:1-3

2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

 

          MERCH. It is a word familiar to many of us. It is a shortened form of merchandise. It is often used to alert “fans” of a celebrity that “stuff” relating to that celebrity is available for a price. This “merch” they eagerly buy.

 

          Peter writes that this is the goal of false prophets who draw followers through a more comfortable and acceptable belief system. Peter says they will succeed in their purpose by using “feigned” words. The word feigned in the original is plastos which means “molded, artificial, and fictitious.” This Greek word resembles our English word plastic. Adam Clarke, in his commentary calls these words, “counterfeit tales, false narrations, of pretended facts, lying miracles, fabulous legends.”

 

John 2:15-16

15 And when he [Jesus] had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

 

          Enough dazzling scenery, flashing lights, and costumes, can transform a talentless performer into a pop star. Jesus had no such performance aids when He preached. Truth needs none.

 

Lord, let us worship you today in spirit and in truth. AMEN