The area in front of my left ear is tender and swollen. my ear feels a little clogged too. it feels tender when i open and close my jaw. seems right on tmj joint. should i see a doctor? is this my lymph node or something else?

You need to see a physician, No sensible physician would give you any advice without examining you.

Something else. Not lymph node. See your General Physician or specialist ENT to evaluate for ear problem. If none, then see your General Dentist a specialist Oral Surgeon, or a specialist I dent-facial pain management.

It could be a lymph node and you could watch and wait. You may feel the node every couple of days, if any of the lymph glands doubles in size, becomes painful, ulcerates, or other nodes become enlarged, or you develop fever, or lose weight, you should see a doctor. Wish you good health!