Jesus Cleanses the Temple

The New King James Version Chapter 2

Christ Cleanses the Temple

13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”

19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”

21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

PassoverCultural OntologyA yearly holy day set apart for the Israelites to observe the exodus from Egypt, particularly the passing over of the Israelite firstborn males when the firstborn of Egypt were struck down in the last of ten plagues. In Christian tradition, Passover is also associated with the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples, as described in the New Testament, and is considered a precursor to the Christian holiday of Easter.

Questions For Discussion:

Why did Jesus drive out those trading in the temple?

What did Jesus mean when He referred to the temple as His body?

How can we ensure that our own lives are not like the temple filled with merchandise?

What does 'zeal for Your house' look like in our lives today?

Who did Jesus see selling things in the temple?

What did Jesus do with the tables and money in the temple?

What are some ways we can show respect for God in our daily activities?

What scripture did the disciples remember when they saw Jesus' actions in the temple?Why did Jesus drive out those trading in the temple?

How can we ensure that our own lives are not like the temple filled with merchandise?

Why is it important to keep places of worship special and holy?

What scripture did the disciples remember when they saw Jesus' actions in the temple?

What did the people think when Jesus said He could raise the temple in three days?

How can we help ourselves and others understand who Jesus is?

What actions did Jesus take when He entered the temple?

What did Jesus mean when He referred to the temple as His body?

How can we ensure that our own lives are not like the temple filled with merchandise?

What does 'zeal for Your house' look like in our lives today?

Think about the excitement of planning a surprise party for a friend. You carefully organize every detail because you love them, and you want to see the look on their face! This mirrors our zeal for God’s house. We should treat every gathering in His name as a celebration, anticipating the joy and connection it brings, not just for ourselves but for Him.

18. What scripture did the disciples remember when they saw Jesus' actions in the temple?

How can we make sure our hearts are clean and ready for God?

What did the people think when Jesus said He could raise the temple in three days?

How can we help ourselves and others understand who Jesus is?

APPLICATION:

Wherever you are, wherever you go, if you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit is in you and if you really want to enjoy the blessings of salvation, you do so by knowing that your body is His temple.

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

Wherever you are, wherever you go, if you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit is in you and if you really want to enjoy the blessings of salvation, you do so by knowing that your body is His temple.

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

The baptism of the Spirit occurs at conversion when the Spirit enters the believing sinner, gives him new life, and makes his body the temple of God.

Warren W. Wiersbe

Clearing the Temple: A Call to True Worship

Bible Passage: John 2:12–25

Summary: In this passage, Jesus zealously clears the temple of merchants and money changers, demonstrating His authority and passion for true worship while condemning the commercial exploitation of faith.

Application: This sermon can help Christians reflect on their own worship practices, encouraging them to identify and remove distractions or false motivations that hinder their relationship with God.

Teaching: The sermon will teach that true worship is rooted in reverence, sincerity, and a commitment to God’s holiness, contrasting Jesus' actions in the temple with the ways that modern believers can sometimes dishonor God in worship.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus fulfills the role of the true temple, embodying God's presence among His people. His actions foreshadow the judgement of unholy practices and the establishment of a new way of approaching God through Him.

Big Idea: Jesus calls us to purify our worship and prioritize a genuine relationship with God over religious ritual or commercialization.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider diving into the historical context of the temple practices during Jesus' time and explore the background of the Passover festival. Utilize Logos to examine commentaries and scholarly articles that discuss the significance of Jesus’ actions and His claim to divine authority, including discussions on the socio-political implications of the temple cleansing.

1. Purging Corrupt Practices

John 2:12-16

You could emphasize how Jesus' actions in this passage highlight the importance of a pure heart in worship. His zealous clearing of the temple signifies His authority and desire for sincere worship that honors God wholly, not hindered by commercial interests or distractions that can infiltrate our lives today. Reflect on how we might metaphorically 'clear our temples'—our hearts and lives—to ensure our worship is true and sincere.

2. Proclaiming a New Temple

John 2:17-22

Perhaps focus on how the disciples' recollection of scripture ('Zeal for your house will consume me') points to understanding Jesus' mission and identity. Jesus' prediction of His resurrection hints at Him being the true temple—God with us. Consider reflecting on how Jesus, as our ultimate mediator, should transform our approach to worship beyond ritual to genuine faith and connection with Him.

3. Perceiving True Faith

John 2:23-25

Maybe discuss how Jesus' awareness of human nature calls us to deeper introspection of our own faith. Despite widespread belief because of His miracles, Jesus knew true faith goes beyond superficial signs. Challenge the congregation to move past just seeing miraculous signs to placing genuine faith in Jesus Himself, the cornerstone of authentic worship.