John 2:12-25 "After this HE went down to Capernaum, HE, and HIS mother, and HIS brethren, and HIS disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews Passover was at hand, and JESUS went up to Jerusalem, and found in the Temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and when HE had made a scourge of small cords, HE drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not MY FATHER's house an house of merchandise. And HIS disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of THINE house hath eaten ME up.
Then answered the Jews and said unto HIM, What sign shewest THOU unto us, seeing that THOU doest these things ? JESUS answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this Temple in building, and wilt THOU rear it up in three days ? But HE spake of the temple of HIS body. When therefore HE was risen from the dead, HIS disciples remembered that HE had said this unto them: and they believed the Scripture, and the WORD which JESUS had said. Now when HE was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in HIS name, when they saw the miracles which HE did. But JESUS did not commit HIMSELF unto them, because HE knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for HE knew what was in man."
JESUS is Intolerant.
At the time of Passover, Jewish males traveled to Jerusalem to observe the feast, to offer sacrifices, and to pay the temple tax, which had to be submitted in the appropriate currency. Those who journeyed to Jerusalem needed to exchange coins and purchase necessary goods in order to properly keep the feast and the sacrifices. During this period in Israel's history, money changers used Passover as an opportunity to charge excessive rates of exchange, and peddlers utilized the Temple courts to see, at inflated costs, the animals necessary for the sacrifices. The Jews had, in essence, set up a flea market within the Temple boundaries and exploited this holiday as a money-making opportunity. When JESUS witnessed this travesty and its approval by the religious leaders, HE immediately drove out all the men and animals from the court. HE "poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables," proclaiming, "Take these things hence; make not MY FATHER's house an house of merchandise" (vv.15-16).
JESUS' actions reveal HIS intolerance concerning three aspects of Israel's "worship." First, HE was clearly intolerant of their hypocrisy. JESUS saw their hearts, and HE knew that although they claimed to worship according to the will of GOD, their hearts were far from HIM (Matthew 15:1-9; 23:1-15, 27-28). Second, JESUS revealed HIS intolerance of their unscrupulous behavior as they took financial advantage of others. Finally, HE refused to tolerate their irreverence. The Temple was to be a sacred place, but these men were defiling it through their actions. CHRIST was intolerant of false worship, so let us today be sure we are worshiping the LORD according to HIS holy standards.
JESUS is Authoritative.
In our text, we see JESUS CHRIST revealing to mankind the authority that underlies HIS actions. The religious leaders of JESUS' day placed a great emphasis on authority (John 1:19-26). They were so full of pride that they despised anyone who did not conform to their vain traditions and customs, thereby defying their rule. So, when CHRIST boldly cleansed the Temple of unscrupulous men, these Jewish rulers wanted to know by what authority HE based HIS actions (v.18). Of course, they questioned JESUS because they refused to recognize HIM as GOD. Had they believed that HE was the promised MESSIAH, then they surely never would have made such an inquiry.
JESUS proclaimed HIS authority to them in no uncertain terms. First, HE revealed that HIS mandate was given to HIM by GOD the FATHER -- the ONE WHOM these men claimed to worship -- when HE called the Temple HIS "FATHER's house" (v.16). Throughout the entire Gospel of John, JESUS repeatedly told the Jews that HE and the FATHER were ONE and that HE had come to fulfill the will of GOD HIS FATHER (John 5:15-24). However, they refused to believe HIM. Second, JESUS revealed HIS authority by performing signs and miracles, which clearly displayed HIS omnipotence and deity (v.23 pictured above). Of course, the ultimate proof of JESUS CHRIST's authority rested in HIS death and resurrection, just as HE had prophesied to these Jewish rulers (vv.19-22). JESUS clearly proved that, as GOD, HE had the right to do what HE did, yet the Jews continued to reject HIM. Today, we must ask ourselves if we truly accept the LORD's supremacy in our own life -- or do we, like those religious leaders, think that our way is better than GOD's way.
JESUS is Omniscient.
The LORD JESUS CHRIST is not only all-powerful and all-authoritative, but HE is also all-knowing. Only ALMIGHTY GOD can see into the very heart of man and every thought of man, and we can be certain that HE is cognizant of absolutely everything about us. HE demonstrated HIS omniscience to both the Jewish leaders and the common people in today's text. CHRIST foreknew that HE was going to die and rise again three days after HIS death (vv.19-21 pictured above). Throughout HIS earthly ministry, HE even knew what the Jewish leaders were thinking, and HE frequently displayed this awareness by revealing to them their thoughts and motives (Matthew 12:14-15,25; Luke 6:7-8). JESUS also demonstrated HIS omniscience by discerning the hearts and minds of those who professed to believe in HIM (vv.23-25). "HE knew what was in man," and HE did not need any human to testify to another man's belief or unbelief. The LORD knew (and continues to know) the faith, or lack thereof, of every individual on earth.
Today, we worship and serve the very same GOD WHO, almost 2,000 years ago, knew the hearts and minds of all men. JESUS CHRIST knows our motives, thoughts, and desires. We can certainly mislead other individuals, but we can never deceive the LORD. Are we living life with the constant recognition that our GOD is omniscient ? If so, then we should consequently desire to maintain a close fellowship with HIM and refrain from doing anything that dishonors HIM. Psalm 1:6 (pictured above) reminds us, "For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." Let us purpose each day to live for the LORD from the heart, for HE knows our true motives. MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
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