Tearing Up The Joint!!!
John 2:13-25
Many know the broader story of when Jesus violently disturbed the money lenders and market place in the Temple grounds. Yet, it is a story with some very deep biblical and theological truths that link prophesies of the Old Testament to the arrival of Jesus as the Messiah.
These verses in the second chapter of the Gospel of John present us with two views of Jesus’ character and of HIS role on Earth. The first being zealous for the righteous worship of HIS Father (our Heavenly Father) compared to the human corruption of it - and the prophetic statements of Jesus’ death and resurrection for those same people who are corrupting the worship of God (Yahweh).
Furthermore, Jesus’ actions of that day should be a warning to churches and church leaders in today’s modern westernised Christianity.
John 2:13-25 says…
Verses 13-16: “When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 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. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
Jesus and HIS disciples still followed the traditional Jewish celebration festivals. These festivals were not the equivalent of cultural public holidays - rather they were annual reminders of God’s active love within the nation of Israel, and they formed an active form of worship of God (Yahweh).
A question can be asked of the ‘Church’ globally (and across all denominations) - “Are the practices that we deem to be necessary in our services - cultural dictates, or are they actually true forms of worship towards God?” - If the answer is that they are cultural, then perhaps we need to reconsider much of what we do in our church services. Especially the fact that they only go for an hour and a half at the most (which is a direct result of Christians being involved in things they consider to be more important than worshiping and learning about the LORD).
Then Jesus saw something that he had probably seen every year of HIS life when HE visited the Temple - people selling products as articles of worship, and the changing of money so that people could pay the Temple tax.
There is one difference between all those other times that Jesus had experienced it (and I can guarantee you that HE was upset then too) is that in this instance Jesus acts on HIS righteous indignation.
Jesus not only rebuked those involved in the market, but HE physically moved them on from the area in a fairly violent manner.
What was the reason for Jesus’ outburst at this time. Firstly, this is at the beginning of HIS ministry. Previously, Jesus was not in HIS active ministry and so didn’t have the covering to do what HE did. Secondly, Jesus was clearly stating HIS divinity and connection to God when HE stated “Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” This is a clear line in the sand that Jesus makes about what true worship looks like - and having a business inside a place of worship is not one of them.
So, again this begs another question of the modern church - “Why do we allow cafes, bookstores, merchandise outlets, people spruiking their products (like books) from the pulpit - within our churches.” and “Would Jesus approve of that?”.
I have lost track of how many churches (in several different denominations) that I have either been visiting or a part of, have had a combination of all of these things in operation. We truly have to ask if that is no different from the selling of doves etc.
Verse 17: His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
The fact that Jesus’ disciples could recall a scripture from the Old testament that was prophetic about Jesus and HIS ministry and presence on Earth will become a reoccurring theme throughout all the gospels, not only the Gospel of John.
Such prophets reminders serve as points of hope, faith and encouragement that Jesus and what HE stood for and our hope in the salvation only HE can provide are true and God’s will will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.
Verses 18-21: “The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body.”
It is interesting that people are always looking for ‘proof’ of Jesus’ divine authority. I have always wondered about that, because I am sure that every time Jesus spoke HIS words and HIS tone would have echoed that authority.
Jesus will always answer those sorts of questions - It is an exhibition of HIS humility and grace that HE does so.
Jesus - as was HIS way - did not directly answer them, rather HE used tact and elements of prophecy to answer them.
Jesus predicted HIS death and resurrection - and that those events are to be the greatest sign of HIS divinity and divine authority.
For Christians, that fact should be the foundation of our faith in Jesus as our saviour.
Verse 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.”
Again it is interesting that the disciples were recalling what Jesus had said or done after the fact, and after HE had ascended back to heaven. And we can look at that a little derisively and say “wow those guys are a bit dense!” - but if we closely examine ourselves we are no different.
Have a look back in your walk with Jesus - no matter how short or long it may be - and consider how many times you have seen God move in you and work in your life. But when you do so, you will find that you soon forget all that God has done for you in the midst of all your struggles and pain, and when God acts again in your situation it comes as a surprise.
See we are no different from the disciples. They were ordinary people chosen to extraordinary things - just like we are.
Verses 23-25: “Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.”
Many people are ‘signs n wonders’ believers - meaning they will only believe in Jesus’ authority and ability to be present in their lives if Jesus does miraculous things in their lives for them.
In John 20:29 Jesus is noted was saying… “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” - the latter of those categories of people relates to us, now, in this modern world 2000 years later. We have not ‘seen’ Jesus yet we choose to believe. It actually means our faith is more blessed because we have not seen Jesus or HIS ministry in person as the disciples and the crowds did.
This should be a source of encouragement and strength for us - as it shows our faith is greater than we think it is.
What is interesting though is that in this moment Jesus had two choices:
A) Either follow the Fathers will for HIM and for humanity, or
B) Take HIS own path and become conquering king like the people wanted in that moment.
Jesus chose the former and went about doing the will of The Father, and thereby provided all of humanity, and the people to come with eternal salvation, if they so chose.
Part of the reason Jesus chose to follow The Father’s will for HIM was that he knew the heart of people, and that they wanted HIM to rule over them for the wrong reasons, and for the fact that they were absorbed by the here-and-now, rather than focussing on their eternity.
This is a mistake that we can make too. We get so absorbed with how Jesus can impact our lives and lifestyles here on Earth that we lose sight of how Jesus should be influencing our eternity (and our ability to be working for kingdom objectives rather than our own selfish desires).
You have to wonder if Jesus showed up in the churches today what he would do. Would HE find HIS body worshipping the Father (Yahweh) in honour, glory and reverence - or will HE find them steeped in emotionalism and self-centred ‘What can God do for me?’ concepts. Would he pull out HIS belt and wreck the joint or would HE be filled with pride?
It is a real question that needs answering in the modern churches. One only has to read the letters in the book of Revelation (Revelation 2-3) to know that judgement will come upon churches that are not truly worshiping Jesus as Lord, Saviour and Messiah - but are rather pushing their own human-centred agendas and belief systems.
I pray that in your own life, you find a place of worship that honours and reveres Jesus as Lord, rather than presenting HIM as a feel-good, self-help guru. I pray that Jesus Christ strengthens your faith in HIM in these difficult and dark times.