Jesus Cleanses the Temple: A Lesson in Reverence and Justice

Discover the significance of Jesus driving the moneychangers out of the temple. Uncover the relevance of this event for Christians today. Read more on our blog.

As you read through the Bible, you may come across verses that seem puzzling or even disturbing. One such passage is the story of Jesus driving the moneychangers out of the temple. Why did Jesus do this? What does it mean for us today? In this article, we'll explore the context and significance of this event and how it relates to our lives as Christians.

Background of the Story

To understand why Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple, we need to know a bit about the temple itself. The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship and culture. It was the place where God's presence was believed to dwell on earth, and where sacrifices were offered to atone for sin.

During Jesus' time, the temple had become corrupt. The religious leaders were more concerned with making money than with serving God. One way they did this was by allowing moneychangers to set up shop in the temple courts. These moneychangers exchanged Roman coins for Jewish coins, which were required for temple offerings. But they charged exorbitant fees and cheated people out of their money.

The temple authorities also allowed the sale of animals for sacrifice within the temple courts. But these animals were often overpriced and of poor quality. This practice was not only dishonest but also disrespectful to the sacred space of the temple.

Jesus' Anger

Now, let's turn to the story itself. In John 2:13-16, we read:

"When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, 'Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a market!'"

Jesus' actions here may seem extreme to us. He made a whip and drove the merchants and animals out of the temple, causing a commotion. But we need to remember that Jesus was deeply passionate about his Father's house. He was upset that the temple, which was meant to be a holy place of worship, had become a marketplace.

By driving out the moneychangers and merchants, Jesus was making a bold statement. He was saying that God's house should be a place of prayer and reverence, not a place for financial gain. He was also demonstrating his authority as the Son of God, who had the power to cleanse and purify the temple.

What It Means for Us Today

So, what does this story mean for us as Christians today? Here are a few key takeaways:

1. We should honor God's house. While we may not have a physical temple like the one in Jerusalem, we do have places where we gather to worship God, such as churches or homes. We should treat these spaces with respect and reverence, recognizing that they are set apart for God's purposes.

2. We should be mindful of our motives. The moneychangers in the temple were more concerned with making a profit than with serving God. As Christians, we should examine our own hearts and make sure that our actions are motivated by love for God and others, not by personal gain.

3. We should follow Jesus' example of speaking out against injustice. Jesus was not afraid to speak out against the corruption he saw in the temple. As his followers, we should also be willing to stand up for what is right and to challenge systems or practices that are harmful or unjust.

FAQs

1. Was Jesus' anger justified?
Yes, Jesus' anger was justified. The temple had become corrupt, and the moneychangers and merchants were cheating people and disrespecting God's house. Jesus was right to be upset about this and to take action to rectify the situation.

2. Did Jesus break any laws by driving out the moneychangers?
Technically, no. The temple was under the jurisdiction of the religious leaders, not the Roman authorities. Jesus did not break any Roman laws by driving out the moneychangers, but he did challenge the authority of the religious leaders.

3. Why did the religious leaders allow the moneychangers in the temple?
The religious leaders likely allowed the moneychangers in the temple because they were making money off of them. The moneychangers charged high fees for their services, and the religious leaders may have received a cut of the profits.

4. What can we do to honor God's house?
We can honor God's house by treating it with respect and reverence. This means being mindful of our behavior and language while we are in church or other worship spaces. It also means contributing to the upkeep and maintenance of these spaces, as we are able.

5. How can we speak out against injustice?
We can speak out against injustice by educating ourselves about important issues, speaking up when we see something that is wrong, and advocating for change through peaceful means. We can also support organizations and individuals who are working to promote justice and equality.