John 2:12-22

Title

Introduction

Text

vv. 13-17 “Cleansing the Temple”

Recording is in all Gospels

Matt. 21:12–13; Mark 11:15–17; Luke 19:45–46

The Markan account is the fullest; not as long as John

Two options with cleansing

Only one, as recorded in Synoptics

Idea: John front loading theologically not chronologically

“John is making it clear that from the outset of his ministry Jesus repudiated what was central to the Temple cultus and further that his death and resurrection were critically important”

Two cleansings

***

v. 13

Passover

John refers to 3 Passovers

First, v. 13

Second, John 6.4.

Third, multiple, (11:55; 12:1; 13:1; 18:28, 39; 19:14)

Completed work as Passover Lamb

Redundancy of “the Jews”

John’s usual explanation inserted for the benefit of his Gentile readers

it was a feast the church did not keep and there was thus need for an explanation for church members

The point made by this first Passover, when Jesus visited Jerusalem, is his zeal for worship

v. 14

Purpose of selling was for pilgrims

Not practical to bring sacrifices along

Money changers

Like at an airport

Pilgrims with differing currencies

Purpose was to exchange idolatrous image of Emperor

Probably similar effect of tax collectors

No Google to see exchange rates

Money changers prob. added personal surcharge

Temple priests also benefitted

Eerily similar to indulgences

v. 15-16

Descriptive not prescriptive

Holy/righteous anger

As opposed to second incident Jesus is complaining about the people’s presence not their practice

Do not make my Father’s house a marketing house/trade house

In contrast, Mark 11:17 “And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.””

Why the anger?

The temple was where Scriptures were to be read and real worship was conducted

Imagine taking out the pews of CFC, allowing Christmas market vendors to set up shop, have an open invitation, and try to do worship

The rustling/bustling of money exchanging, animals sounds, people shouting, bartering, haggling, drowned out the intent of the temple

Which was godly worship

From Lamb to Lion

Malachi 3:1–3 ““Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.”

v. 17

Effect of this incident was to remind disciples of Psalm 69:9 “For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.”

vv. 18-22, “Raising the Temple” (dual meaning)

Arrogance of the Jews, not acknowledging their wrong

Searching sign rather than authority

1 Corinthians 1:22 “For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,”

“destroy this temple”

By answering this way, Jesus was asserting that he had the right to do what he did, for the simple reason that he is the Lord of the temple

Doctrine - The Supremacy of Christ

Hebrews 10:1 “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.”

Greater passover lamb

Foreshadowed in old, consummated in new

Wrath of God averted by blood

Innocent sacrifice

Effectual atonement

Application

Use 1. Show zeal for godly worship.

Modern church goers treat church as convenience, or depending on what activities are done

The Jews in John 2 appeared to have zeal, but there was no authentic worship

It was a self-service, providing material goods

Hebrews 10:24–25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

In cleansing temple, Jesus has zeal for godly worship and intolerance for false/perverted worship

Some churches only exist to be merchants

Churches with bookstores, coffee shops, clothing store, etc.

How would Jesus act if He came to your church’s worship service?

Swallowed up by temporal consumerism

Or swallowed up by consuming the Word?

Richard Philipps, “What we do in worship reveals what we think about God.

A church that worships through dry and joyless ritual shows that it believes in an absent God.

A church that stirs up emotional enthusiasm and fills the worship service with entertainment believes in a weak God who needs our spiritual help.

A church focused on money reveals a God who is unable to meet our needs, whereas a church that exalts its own celebrities shows its blindness to the glory of God.”

Holiness, reverence, and true humility are authentic marks of worship

Use 2. Show passion for godly values

Jesus’ action are not prescriptive

But Jesus’ passion for upholding worship and godliness shines through his actions

We are passionate about what we love

Often more passionate about sports, games, books, etc than worship.

Think about your conversations

When you talk about something in common (sports), you are instantly excited and engaged

Church? Same response?

Use 3. Show confidence in God’s Word

First, disciples saw Jesus’ actions and remembered God’s Word

Takes devotion to have His word constantly on your heart

Second, Jews should have been doing true temple worship, reading Scripture

Instead, they want signs

Do you always ask God for a sign?

Or do you rely upon His Word?