In the Temple
Opening Prayer
Almighty Father, “Break my heart for what breaks Yours; Everything I am for Your kingdom’s cause” (Brooke Fraser).
Read John 2:12–25
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
Jesus Clears the Temple Courts
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What makes you angry? As you read, compare this with what angers Jesus.It is nearly Passover, and Jewish households are committed to a thorough cleansing of their homes. Yet in God’s house, the Temple, Jesus and his disciples find noise, disorder and corruption.
Every Jewish male had to pay tax using a special Temple coin, hence the need for money-
changers. However, an exorbitant rate of exchange ensured them a ridiculous profit. Sacrifices offered at Passover had to be without blemish, yet any animal bought outside the Temple was invariably rejected, forcing worshippers to buy animals at outrageous prices.
Jesus has seen all this fraud and corruption before, but finally he becomes very angry. It’s interesting to note, however, that his temper is never out of control. He doesn’t injure anyone, and the animals, birds and money can be rescued.
The disciples recall Psalm 69:9a (17). Once again, Jesus is showing himself to be the Messiah. He is furious because of the way the religious leaders are treating the holy things of God. They are not only desecrating the Temple, they are distorting the rules God himself put in place, and laying heavy burdens on God’s people.
Apply
If Jesus walked beside you today, what would make him angry? Would it be situations around you or things you are doing?
Closing prayer
God, guide my decisions and my reactions so that they might be pleasing to You.
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