John 2:12-25

“The Holy Cleansing of the Heart”

Introduction (vv.1-2) Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the passover. Here Jesus continued to REVEAL himself to the people and He chose to do it on the Passover. Jesus showed his faithfulness in fulfilling the Law by attending the Passover and it’s also the best time to reveal himself because the Passover is a reminder to them of God’s grace in delivering them from the bondage in Egypt (pass over lamb). It was a fitting time for Jesus to show himself to many people who are in need of deliverance/saving.

the designation “The Passover of the Jews” may suggest to the reader that this festival was not a Christian ceremony. For the Christian the last Passover has been held. Jesus has fulfilled the Passover and carried the Christian beyond the need for the Jewish ritual thus no need to go to the Jerusalem and offer in the temple. Jesus died once and for all!

Problem: (vv.13-16) The sacred temple became a place of business (den of robbers) - the temple was misused and dishonored by the Jewish leaders who are supposed to oversee the sanctity and purity of the temple. We see here the on going “spiritual emptiness/deadness” of the time. The religious leaders were corrupt and greedy. Just like the “empty wine” John carefully selected this situations to show the “spiritual emptiness of the time” and the reason why Jesus came - to restore what was lost because of sin.

How come that the Jewish leaders allowed this things?

“The buying and selling of animals in the area was a way of giving convenience for the pilgrims coming into Jerusalem. But abuses developed, and the pilgrim traffic became a major source of income for the city. With money to be made, worship easily became corrupted. The money changers were another convenience for the pilgrims. Temple dues had to be paid in the acceptable Tyrian coinage, and a high percentage was charged for changing coins.” - ESV Study Bible.

What had begun as a service to the worshipers, it became a place of exploitation and greed under the corrupt rule of the chief priests. Religion had become external, lack of love, and materialistic; the temple of God had become a “robbers’ den” .

Spiritually bankrupt people does not care about God’s name and honor. (like the Jewish leaders who are spiritually empty).

So Jesus acted upon the situation and showed his HOLY ANGER towards the people who are dishonoring God’s house.

Malachi predicted that One would come suddenly to the temple to purify the religion of the nation (Mal. 3:1–3). In moral indignation Jesus started a small stampede of the sheep and cattle, and overturned the tables.

Those who don’t love God does not have any hint of anger against those who dishonor God.

Jesus claimed the temple as His Father’s house (v.16). John highlighted here the relationship between Jesus and God - He is the Son of God who loves the Father and He is the Lamb of God in relation to the Passover celebration!

Jesus’ cleansing of the temple testifies to his concern for pure worship, a right relationship with God at the place supremely designated to serve as the focal point of the relationship between God and man.

D. A. Carson

Rising Action (v.17) The disciples remembered the OT prophecy about the Messiah’s zeal for God’s House.

Zeal (passionate affection / negative - jealousy). Jesus’ disciples remembered Psalm 69:9, which speaks of the fact that the Righteous One would pay a price for His commitment to God’s temple. This zeal for God would ultimately lead Him to His death.

Climax: (v.18) The Jewish authorities challenged Jesus and questioned His authority.

People will always look for a sign in order to believe - to see is to believe.

Resolution (vv.19-22) Jesus prophesied that He will be resurrected from the dead and they will see His authority.

Jesus referred to His body as the new temple - The presence of Jesus is where the presence of God is because He is God in the flesh/body!

His body is the new temple, the place where God was now making himself present. Later, the church as the body of Christ assumes this role.

The sign that Jesus to show His authority was His own resurrection, which even His disciples did not immediately understand (cf. 12:16). It was not until He was raised from the dead that His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. His death as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb would render the Jerusalem temple obsolete (cf. 4:21; Matt. 27:51); and His resurrection as the triumphant Lord would lay the foundation for a new, spiritual temple in its place—namely, the church (1 Cor. 3:16–17; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:19–22).

Conclusion (vv.23-25) Many believed in Jesus but Jesus knew what is in their hearts.

They believed in His name, that is, they trusted in Him. This was not necessarily saving faith as the next verse implies. They believed He was a great Healer, but not necessarily a great Savior from sin.

So, Jesus did not embrace the false faith manifested by those who witnessed His signs, because He knew all men, and therefore did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man (omniscient God). He knows the true state of every heart. He saw in Nathanael the heart of an honest, true seeker (1:47); He saw in these people a superficial façade—a mere outward attraction to His spectacular signs (cf. 6:2). Genuine saving faith goes far beyond that. It demands wholehearted commitment to Jesus as the Lord of one’s life.

Jesus knew that a temporary excitement or a faith based on signs was not sufficient. Many of the early followers later turned back when He did not take up the role of a political king (cf. 6:15, 60, 66).

Homiletical Idea:

Jesus came to present himself as the One who is able to cleanse us from our sins.

Jesus showed his deity in 3 ways:

I. Jesus cleansed the temple with zeal (Holiness)

- Jesus wanted to cleanse the temple because He loves to honor His Father. His commitment to the Father caused Him to give His life for His glory!

- Jesus came to fulfill the will of the Father. So, Jesus came to cleanse us from our sins through the shedding of his blood on the cross.

God knows that our hearts needs to be cleansed from greed, from being materialistic, from hypocrisy. He did not come just to teach us how to cleanse ourselves but He came to cleanse us in a way that He alone can. Only his pure and holy blood can cleanse us from our sins!

Our heart is like a temple that needs the cleansing power of Jesus because of the presence of ungodliness.

We need the cleansing power of Jesus everyday!

Application:

Pray to desire for a heart like Jesus toward the Father.

Intentional daily cleansing of the heart through confession and repentance.

2. Avoidance of sin (greed, materialistic, self-glorification)

II. Jesus predicted his death and resurrection (Grace and Power)

Jesus’s words are true and trustworthy - he predicted to be resurrected and it happened. He fulfilled his prophecy by appearing to His disciples and to more than 500 individuals (Acts 1). He demonstrated His power to accomplish whatever He says.

Application:

Stop doubting the Words of Jesus.

(Is Jesus the way, the truth, and the life?)

III. Jesus knew the contents of men’s heart. (Omniscience)

Jesus is omniscient - he knew all men. (he knew about the Samaritan woman’s past.). Jesus knew if our faith is real! Jesus knew if we are just pretending or if our motive is right.

Jesus knew of our sins and yet He still forgives us and loves us!

Application:

Don’t think that you can hide something from God.

Confess your sins and avoid justifying them.

Conclusion:

Jesus is God in the flesh and He alone can cleanse our hearts