When it was
almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people seeling 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!? The disciples remembered that it is written, "Zeal for your house will consumer me."
The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. (John 2:13-25)
Today’s passage is screaming for a rant. So often, we hear that Christians aren’t allowed to judge, and criticism of Christians because we are so judgmental. As one who follows Christ, as we not to follow His example?
“Oh, well, yes, of course,” we’re told. We’re to follow His example by being loving sinners (which apparently means celebrating their sins,) being pacifistic, being tolerant and non-judgmental…. I find myself wondering how long it took Him to wind that whip. Part of the trouble is that we’re not supposed to follow Him in being zealous, either for the house of the Lord, nor for the Word of the Lord.
Of course, the leadership in Israel wasn’t pleased with His actions. They asked Him for a sign that He had the authority to do these things – things that every Jew was responsible to do. In fact, I suspect that the Jewish people would have been justified under the Law with stoning the merchants who were selling in a holy place, on a sabbath day.[1]
Jesus’ answer to them was dismissive and disrespectful. He didn’t answer their question when He answered their question. They asked for a sign. He gave them one, but they didn’t see it for another three years. And then He went out of the temple and performed many signs. He did what they asked. If only they’d been paying attention.
The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. (John 2:13-25)
Today’s passage is screaming for a rant. So often, we hear that Christians aren’t allowed to judge, and criticism of Christians because we are so judgmental. As one who follows Christ, as we not to follow His example?
“Oh, well, yes, of course,” we’re told. We’re to follow His example by being loving sinners (which apparently means celebrating their sins,) being pacifistic, being tolerant and non-judgmental…. I find myself wondering how long it took Him to wind that whip. Part of the trouble is that we’re not supposed to follow Him in being zealous, either for the house of the Lord, nor for the Word of the Lord.
Of course, the leadership in Israel wasn’t pleased with His actions. They asked Him for a sign that He had the authority to do these things – things that every Jew was responsible to do. In fact, I suspect that the Jewish people would have been justified under the Law with stoning the merchants who were selling in a holy place, on a sabbath day.[1]
Jesus’ answer to them was dismissive and disrespectful. He didn’t answer their question when He answered their question. They asked for a sign. He gave them one, but they didn’t see it for another three years. And then He went out of the temple and performed many signs. He did what they asked. If only they’d been paying attention.
[1] Not
all Sabbaths were on Saturdays. The Jews were not to work during the Passover. Wouldn’t
running a market for sacrificial items be considered work? Apparently not, but
healing someone was.
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