CLEANSING THE TEMPLE

LUKE 19:45–48

Every day he was teaching at the temple

(Luke 19:47a).

John 2 records that Jesus cleansed the temple when He first began His ministry. Matthew, Mark, and Luke show Jesus cleansing the temple when He arrived in Jerusalem just before His death. Some have tried to say that these are one event, and that John “dischronologized” his record of it for literary purposes. It is far more likely that Jesus cleansed the temple twice, because the same sins were being committed both times.

What was going on? First of all, people needed sacrifices to offer, and getting appropriate sacrifices was difficult. If you lived away from Jerusalem, it was simpler to bring money than to bring a sheep, ox, or goat on the trip. Since the animal had to be unblemished, there was a risk that the animal brought from home might get blemished on the trip. Thus, there was a necessary business around the temple of selling guaranteed-unblemished animals.

Secondly, the temple tax and contributions had to be made in temple money. Visitors from foreign lands would need to change their money into the appropriate kinds of coins before making their purchases. Thus, there was an important money-changing business around the temple.

In themselves these were legitimate businesses. What Jesus objected to was that they were being conducted on the grounds of the temple which had been consecrated and set aside for Gentile believers to pray. Thus, it was others’ lack of zeal for prayer and lack of concern for the oppressed Gentile that infuriated Jesus. “My house shall be a house of prayer,” He said, “but you have made it a den of robbers.” This last phrase indicates that at least some of these businessmen were charging exorbitant prices.

Once the temple had been cleansed of defilement, however, Jesus took his rightful place as Lord of the temple and taught there daily.

CORAM DEO

Jeremiah 17–19

1 Timothy 6

WEEKEND

Jeremiah 20–24

2 Timothy 1–2

Has your temple of the Holy Spirit—your body—become defiled by misuse or lack of attention? Has it been taken over by the surrounding society as had the temple in Jerusalem in Jesus’ day? This weekend ask the Spirit to sweep your temple clean of improper occupants so that Jesus can take His rightful place as Lord and teach there daily.

For further study: Jeremiah 7:1–15; tape #B57INT.82/83

WEEKEND