More Than Just a Story - the Book of JohnNäide

The final three verses of today’s scripture reading tell us that many people attending the Passover Celebration were convinced by His miraculous signs that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. The nine verses before that record the actions of Jesus as He clears out the temple. When the Jewish leaders confront Him, Jesus draws a parallel between His body and the temple of God.

In 1 Corinthians 3:16, it says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” That was written to followers of Jesus, and it applies to anyone—people back then and people now—who have committed their lives to Christ.

So, what was Jesus demonstrating for us when He turned over the money changers’ tables and drove out the sheep and oxen? Was He simply saying that there are things that shouldn’t be done in a church building, in a brick-and-mortar temple, a house of God? Or was He saying that we, who are followers of Jesus, carry God’s temple with us, and our actions should reflect that?

I don’t know about you, but I find myself confessing a sinful thought, a harsh word, or an action that I know isn’t pleasing in God’s sight. I find myself asking Jesus to cover my sins with His shed blood, so that this body I live in can be presented to Him as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).

Thought for consideration

1. Are there “money changers’ tables” in our lives that need to be turned over?
2. Are there things in our lives that need to be driven out of the temple?