23. Jesus clears the temple
– John 2:12-25
John 2:13-14 “When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and other sitting at tables exchanging money.”
The Jewish Passover was a yearly celebration of when Jesus freed the Israelites from Egypt. Passover was one day and the Feast of Unleavened Bread lasted the rest of the week. Jewish men were expected to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem every year for the celebration. Many foreigners would likely come to the temple with many different forms of currency. However, the foreigners were required to pay a temple tax in the local currency. Therefore, the foreigners needed a place to exchange money. More so, the people would often come to the temple to sacrifice animals for their sins. Due to the long distance from home, they were not able to bring their animals with them. Or, they may have brought their animals but the animal may have had an imperfection. The animals that were being sold at the market were animals specific for sacrifices. The people were not trying to be deliberately disrespectful to God for having a market in the temple courts. They wanted to provide the people with convenience while enjoying a personal profit. The merchants and money exchangers preyed off of the people and would charge very high prices. Jesus was angry with them because they were greedy and dishonest. Still, Jesus was even angrier because the commotion with the market made it where the people were unable to worship. The temple was unable to serve the people their spiritual needs. Jesus needed to bring an end to the injustice he was experiencing. It was bad enough that the people were corrupt, but it was even worse that they brought their corruption into God’s temple. The merchants were exploiting those who had come to God’s house to worship. It was an insult to God.
John 2:15-16 “So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned the tables. To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!”
Jesus did not sit back and do nothing. He decided to act on his anger against sin. He stopped the situation from continuing and explained why it was bad. Jesus made a whip and drove out the people. He has the authority to do this because he is God’s son. Be like Jesus. But, still do what is in your authority. Don’t sit back and do nothing when you see injustices. Handle it with grace and with whatever authority you have over the situation. You can always do something. Even if that something is small, do it. If you can’t so much, at least voice your opinion. If you have the ability to change the situation, then change it. Help bring light to those who may be confused.
John 2:18-19 “Then the Jews demanded of him, ‘What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all of this?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will rebuild it again in three days.”
Jesus was not talking about the physical temple the people were standing in. Jesus was speaking about his body as the temple. The people would soon try to destroy his body on the cross. It would be dead for three days and then be restored. Jesus was going to prove his authority by his crucifixion. He was going to defeat the devil and redeem the lives of humanity. He was going to be the ultimate sacrifice as God’s only beloved son.
John 2:23-26 “Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all the men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in man.”
Jesus knew that the same men would praise him would be the men who crucified him. He knew that some of the people’s faith would falter. Some were only believing in him because the crowd believed in him. As soon as the majority of people hated Jesus, they too would change their mind. Jesus did not care about their opinion about him. He came to spread the truth to whoever would listen. Take this as encouragement to have a strong personal faith. Do not rely on others, but build your own faith on a solid foundation. That way, when the times get hard you won’t stumble. You will remain praising him. Also, take this verse as encouragement to not be bothered by what others think about you. The opinions of men will be blown and tossed by the wind. Even Jesus knows how fake some people’s opinions may be. The only opinion that matters is God’s opinion about you. Be confident in his truths about you.
