Jesus Cleans House
The Jewish Passover was a big event, and it drew a huge crowd of people. This was not only to celebrate the Passover with families in Jerusalem, but was often a time for those who lived far from the Temple to come and worship God in the place where he promised to dwell with His people. This was a way to remember and celebrate the freedom from slavery that God had given His people, who were oppressed and brutalized in the land of Egypt. Among this crowd were Gentiles who had become proselytes to the Jewish faith. Although they were a part of God's people, they were granted only the outer area of the Temple in which to worship. This area is the area where Jesus finds "those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers." (2:14) It can be easy for us to assume that Jesus was accusing these people of practicing their respective businesses corruptly. However, that is not what we find in the text. The great problem was not the activity, but the location. And John makes something very clear: Jesus does not approve!
During our lesson, we tried to simply get at the reason why Jesus is so furious, and what his actions and words tell us about the gospel he brings. Jesus is enraged because the very priesthood and location - that should be opening people to the worship, communion, and fellowship of the Lord - are in fact closing it off and creating obstacles to it. Imagine this: You are hosting a party for you and your friends. The whole idea of this party will be to create an environment of social interaction and encouraging fellowship. Yet, something keeps getting in the way. Vendors from Wal-Mart and Target have strategically positioned themselves on your porch, in your kitchen, by the hallway, and in your living room. They have their reasons. They think to themselves, "We are here for the convenience of the party-goers. I mean, what if someone forgets to bring drinks and snacks? We are just here to help the party get along smoothly." But we can imagine what would happen in this kind of setting. It would be a disaster, and most of the people there would probably become upset with the invasion. The purpose of the party would be destroyed. This is what we have happening in the Temple. So, what does Jesus do about it?
Well, he drives these people out of the Temple in what could best be described as a furious outburst. Such that the disciples would later reflect on it with the words: "Zeal for your house will consume me." (2:17) Jesus is cleaning house so that Gentiles can come and worship God without hindrance or distraction. He does not stop here. Jesus is on task, and his words bring to life the deep reality of the gospel that his existence is aiming towards, death and resurrection. This is the amazing truth in what Jesus says to those questioning his actions, "Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up...But he was speaking about the Temple of his body" (2:19, 21) Jesus is changing the location of the Temple. He is saying, 'I am the new Temple, and people will come from afar to me in order to dwell with God. This current temple is only a shadow of the forgiveness, reconciliation, and life that I will bring as the new Temple by my cross death and resurrection.' Jesus is cleaning house so that people can approach God, and he will not stop until he has completed his work and is seated at the right hand of the Father.Praise God that Jesus has fully opened the way for us! His work is finished.
Take Home Questions:
1) Jesus' anger here is a good thing. How do you view this event in the life of Jesus? Think about how Jesus' actions and behavior can change the way you view and act on your own anger.
2) How can we approach this Temple Jesus tells us about today? What grants us access?
3) What is ultimately the problem underlying the actions of those selling in the temple? What things in our life together are hindering from our focus on worship and communion with God?
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