John 2:12-25
Title: Christ Cleanses
the Temple.
Analysis:
In this passage of God’s Word,
we read about one of the most amazing miracles of Jesus’s ministry here on
earth. As he and his disciples continue on from the wedding; they stay in
Capernaum for a few days and then travel to Jerusalem for Passover. We are
quickly introduced by John as to what Jesus sees. There were many men,
using this time of celebration to gather in the temple to sell various animals
that were used for sacrifices. Also, the money changers were seated at their
tables (vs.15).
Immediately John transitions to
the Lords response, making it very clear to us what His attitude towards these
men was. Our Lord’s reaction is astonishing and amazing at the same time.
Without delay Jesus makes a scourge of cords and in a miraculous way, drives
out all these wicked men from the temple. To comprehend the scope of this
miracle we must realise that the Temple area was a very large area, and the
Lord drove out hundreds of people and all their animals from His holy place.
In verses 16-17 John brings to our attention
the reason why Jesus drove these men out. He said, “Stop making my Father’s
house a place of business.” And His disciples remembered what was prophesied
about Him saying, “Zeal for your house will consume Me.” The reason that the
Lord drove these men out is that they were using the house of God to make money
and profit by cheating and stealing from the people. They had not come to
worship God but rather to worship themselves, seeking only their own good.
Their religion was dead and self-serving and Jesus would have none of it!Although they had been driven out, the Jews still had the audacity to demand of Jesus to perform a sign showing that He had authority to do this. Christ immediately tells them that if they would destroy this temple, in three days he would rise again. The Jews eyes were blinded to this statement and believed he spoke of the temple so they mock His words by saying it had taken 46 years already to build the temple. They did not understand that He was speaking of His body.
Even though the Jews did not
believe, Christ’s disciples remembered His words after He rose again from the
dead. Contrary to their belief the people at the Passover still chose not to worship
Him as God. John continues to explain that Jesus performed many other signs
during the feast (vs.23) but he would not entrust Himself to them. Jesus knew
that although the people said they believed in Him, they did not worship Him as
King or Lord in their lives. Rather their outward belief was an inward
selfishness.
Jesus knew this and would not
entrust Himself to them for, “He knew all men…He Himself knew what was in man.”
(Verse 24-25). It seems as though John adds this statement on to show us once again
that Jesus must be God, for only God knows our hearts, just as Jesus did here.
Response:
What kind of religion am I
offering to the Lord? Was a question that popped into my mind as I studied this
section of scripture. Just as the men of Israel mocked God by committing sin
while being in the house of God, I believe we are all capable of doing this.
Jesus, as we see here, hates pretenders. He does not want us to look like were
worshiping Him while at the same time living in sin. Not only does he not want
us to do that, but for the Christian it is impossible to do this. You cannot
half-heartedly entrust yourself to the Lord for He knows our hearts and will
not accept that form of worship. Complete surrender to His will for your life
is the only way that you can have pure religion and worship before Him.
Blessings,
Lucas C.
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