John 2-9.12.22

Scripture

John‬ ‭2:16‬ ‭NLT

“Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!””

Observation-What does it say?

It was almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration. So Jesus made his way to Jerusalem. He headed towards the Temple, only to find many merchants selling livestock and exchanging foreign currency there. The merchants were trying to capitalize on the Jewish celebration by selling goods to the people who were heading to the Temple to worship and celebrate Passover. They turned this house of worship into a marketplace! And Jesus was not happy about it one bit. Jesus then drove out all the livestock, merchants, and turned over the merchants’ tables in his anger over what they did to God’s Temple. 

Understanding-What does it mean?

Have the fire and desire to stand up for what is right.

Jesus was angry. Why shouldn’t he be? People were making a mockery of His Father’s House.

“He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!””-Matthew‬ ‭21:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The merchants were taking advantage of the people who were going to the Temple to worship by selling them the sacrificial animals that were used in Passover celebration. And I think it’s safe to say that they weren’t selling them at bargain prices either. They probably bumped up their prices and doubled their profit. I can picture it now, a vendor yelling “Get your sacrificial lamb right here!” “Two for one deal!” “Can’t go into God’s House until you get one of these fine, unblemished animals!” And you know the Pharisees were getting their piece of the action too! Why else would they be so angry with Jesus when Jesus began driving these merchants out?

But Jesus just about had enough! His love for the Father would not allow His Father’s House to be desecrated. It was an injustice to God and it was an injustice to His people. Jesus’ love for God caused him to stand up for Him even if it was an unpopular decision and caused him to gain enemies. Jesus knew what was right and he wasn’t going to stand idly and let this pass.

And as Christ Followers we should do the same. We should have that same fire and desire and love that Jesus had to please God. Even if it is an unpopular decision or causes people to hate us, it’s about pleasing God, not pleasing others and ourselves. 

““Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”-Matthew‬ ‭10:32-33‬ ‭‬‬

Life Application

Live to please an audience of One.

I know, it seems so hard to do sometimes. To have the whole crowd turn against you. To be ridiculed and made fun of because of your faith. To have “friends” turn their backs on you because of it. To be shunned out of society because we choose to live by God’s standards. But take heart! Know that Jesus went through all of it and know that Jesus overcame all of it too! And we too will do the same. So stand firm in your faith. Be bold and courageous! Live and focus our lives on pleasing God because at the end of the day, He is all that matters.

“Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”-John‬ ‭16:31-33‬ ‭MSG‬‬

-Moses Gaddi