Jesus Zeal for the Temple

Last week Jesus was in Cana and made water into wine and only a few knew it was him and the outcome was his disciples and maybe a few servants believed in him. This week we find Jesus going to Jerusalem and causing a commotion at the temple, overthrowing tables and chasing people out with a whip. Later when people seem to put their faith in Him, Jesus knowing their hearts will not trust them. For what purpose does Jesus take such drastic action, and why would he not welcome those proclaiming faith? Look with me at John 2:13-25

John 2:13–25 ESV

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Jesus Drives Out the Merchants

John 2:13–17 ESV

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Now I want you to imagine what is going on here. Jesus comes to Jerusalem for Passover, the most important religious festival of the Jewish Calendar, and instead of finding a city worshiping God for his deliverance of Israel from Egypt, Jesus finds a marketplace set up in the outer court of the temple. This outer court was also known as the court of the Gentiles and was the only place a Non-Jewish God worshipper could come to hear teachings of the Scriptures. Can you imagine trying to worship God on Easter Sunday amongst a Cattle auction. How could you focus on God amongst all the noise and chaos.

So Jesus sits down a makes a whip of cords and drives them all out of the temple. Now it is commonly believed that Jesus was angry at this moment and it is possible he was but notice that nowhere in the text nor in the other accounts does Scripture say Jesus was angry. Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-46

Parallel Passages

Instead John says that Jesus was filled with Zeal or passion for the house of God. Jesus was passionate that people be able to come to the temple to worship God. The idea that Gentiles were unable to hear about God because the Gentile court had become a marketplace was unacceptable and Jesus took drastic action by overturning the tables of the moneychangers and driving out all the animals and merchants. This story shows that Jesus was not a pushover or a wimp because there would have been many merchants who obviously would have been angry at their livestock and money being lost to the crowds, yet they didn’t pick a fight with Jesus.

Jews Demand a Sign

John 2:18–22 ESV

So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Instead of fighting Jesus they demand a sign

Jesus actions here are reminiscent of a prophet and the people recognizing this demand a sign or miracle proving his prophet-ship status

Jesus responds Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” This is a prophecy of his future death, by giving this prophecy of future events and fulfilling it he proves he is a prophet but the Jews and even his disciples miss the true implication and instead think he is talking of rebuilding the temple of Jerusalem. It is not until after Jesus resurrection that the disciples understand and came to saving faith.

Jesus Knows Their Hearts

John 2:23–25 ESV

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

The story’s resolution is intersting in that John writes many believed in his name upon seeing the signs but Jesus did not trust them because he knew all people and knew was was in man.

Why would Jesus not trust them if they believed in him?

Notice it says they believed upon seeing the signs. Their belief was built upon the miracles. These Jews here are much like the ones that were following after the feeding of the 5000. They are not interested in the teachings of Jesus, they don’t want to hear from the Son of God, or even the Savior of the World. What they want is more of Jesus the Miracle Man, do more miracles Jesus they bring out the crowds. Isn’t that what we often want to, Jesus the Miracle Man, the one who heals all my sickness, who multiplies my dollars, who fixes all my problems. If Jesus really loves me he will fix my car, no Jesus does really love you so he died to pay the price for your sin.

If we are not careful we will try to make Jesus a genie instead of God.

There is another lesson here though notice that Jesus does not trust them. Jesus knows their belief is not true faith but only a desire for miracles therefore he does not trust them. In todays society people have turned church into entertainment productions so that they can fill the pews. I’ve seen videos of pastors preaching from a game of thrones throne or having star wars stormtroopers dancing on the stage during church. I don’t know how you “tie that in” to your service, but I think Jesus is sorely misrepresented in those churches, and it makes me wonder if they are even true believers are if they are just there for the show.

Invitation

My first question is for the believers are you zealous, passionate for the worship of God, willing to do whatever it takes for the non-believer to hear about the salvation of God that they might become worshipers of the one true God? Do you take the worship of God, in all forms, whether by song, preaching, prayer, or praise, do you take it seriously? If not let this song of invitation be a time of repentance and rededication to God. Ask him to grant you that passion for him to light anew the flame of love for him.

Or maybe you are more like the Jews and have been looking for the Miracle man Jesus who solves all your problems, but your not allowing him to be master and ruler of your life. Jesus is a genie in a bottle not the ruler and creator of the universe. For you I remind you Jesus did not come for the purpose of doing miracles, he came to die on the cross for the forgiveness of man’s sin. I encourage you to admit to Jesus your sin and accept his death on the cross on your behalf. Turn away from your sin and make Jesus the Lord and master of your life. If you make that decision today I encourage you to come forward during the invitation or catch me after service so I can pray with you and encourage you in the exciting adventure ahead of you. Let’s pray.