Why is Jesus SO UPSET??!!?? He is upset enough to go into the temple in Jerusalem and drive out the sellers of the sacrificial animals and the money changers. He even makes a whip of cords and thrashes them with it.
When we read that, we think Jesus actually took a real whip that would be used for beating people and struck them with it. However, many Jewish scholars believe that what Jesus was doing was using the cords/tassels that Jewish people wore call the Tzitzit, which served as a visual reminder of the commandments and to promote holiness. The Tzitzit reminded them of God’s word (Torah), and so many scholars believe Jesus was brushing them with those tassels in a whipping motion. By doing that, he was saying to them, You are NOT living the word of God.
However, the people coming to the Festival of Passover from a far distance needed the sellers of the sacrificial animals and the money changers…….
What they were doing was wrong for two reasons:
- They were hiking up the prices and taking advantage of the people.
- They had taken over the area which was the only place non-Jewish people could go to worship God when God says his house is to be a house of prayer for all nations. (See Mark 11:15-17 & Isaiah 56:6-8)
John 2:18-22: The Temple officials challenge Jesus’ authority to do what he did and his response to them…
Application / Takeaway: Jesus is concerned for the Gentiles (people outside the faith) that they have a place to worship God.
Our Ministry Filter: “We are a church who are passionate about reaching ALL people with the Gospel while creating an environment that welcomes the non-religious, young singles and families.”
B.L.E.S.S. ….
Application / Takeaway: Jesus is concerned for us as his followers/apprentices that we live a life of genuine, authentic faith and worship.
Do you believe that God has the right to turn over the tables in your life to remind you of what is important in your life and for your faith?
Taking It Home
We encourage you to take a few minutes today and this week to process this morning’s message. These questions are designed for discussion with your family, a friend, mentor, spouse, and small group. They are also useful for self-reflection.
1. What stands out to you in these passages from the Bible? From the message?
2. What is difficult for you to understand or accept in these passages from the Bible? From the message?
3. What is God saying in these passages and through what we heard in the message about Himself? About people? About you?
4. What examples are there to follow, commands to obey, or promises to stand on from these passages in the Bible, and from what we heard in the message?
