As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up at verse 13, of Chapter Two. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle writes:
“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, and 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! His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for Your house will consume me’.” (John 2: 13-17)
Some people use this action of Christ to justify the loss of temper, and actions they take in anger. While there is a time and place for anger, we must always be in control of it. This passage does not say Jesus was angry when He did these things, but it would appear that He was. Of course we know that Jesus did not operate from a place of anger, He operated out of a heart of Love. If we let anger, and frustration be the first place we go when things are not happening exactly as we think they should, we lose our peace, and power of Love, and sound mind. (2Timothy 1:7) That results in taking us to the thoughts of the flesh. But here, whether Jesus was angry or not, Zeal for His Father’s house consumed Him, and He went about ‘cleaning house.’
The Word tells us our body is now the Temple of God when we are born again. Sacrifices were required at the old Temple when the children of God went to worship, but Jesus has Himself made the sacrifice, and the Kingdom of God is now within. The Scripture says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
Let us be ever mindful that we should continually keep our temple, our body, clean by giving it totally over to Jesus each day. He will move the things out that should not be within. He will keep us pure and holy because of His presence. “For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14)
Be blessed, by His presence, God’s Beloveds. We don’t go to a temple that is man made to worship, He has come to us. He has made us His Temple.
Let us enjoy constant Fellowship with Him, and each other in His presence of love and grace.
Poppa B.