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14. Cleansing the Temple

 

    Prayer

 

    Heavenly Father, provide us with the sustenance we need each day and forgive us of our sin. Guide us to show the same forgiveness to others as you have shown to us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

John 2:13, The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

 

Reflection

 

 Jesus, accompanied by His mother Mary, His half-brothers, and His disciples, went down from Cana to Capernaum, a town situated 23 miles to the east. Capernaum was lower than Cana, so they descended. They went up from Capernaum to Jerusalem, a journey of 70 miles south, to participate in the yearly Passover celebration. Jerusalem was higher than Capernaum, so they ascended. Jewish men over 12 years old within 50 miles of Jerusalem had to go to Passover every year.

Passover reminds us of the night when the firstborn male Israelites were spared, while the firstborn males of the Egyptians were killed by the angel of death. This was part of the Biblical story of Exodus 12.

Passover is a foreshadow of Jesus. Whoever believes in Jesus will passover from death to life.

John 5:24, Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

1 Corinthians 5:7, Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

John 2:14-17, He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting. He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money and overthrew their tables. To those who sold the doves, he said, take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace! His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for your house will eat me up, Psalm 69:9.

 

Reflection

 The Babylonians destroyed the first Temple of Solomon in 586 BC. The second temple was reconstructed in 515 BC by the Jews who had returned from exile. Herod the Great invested 44 years in the reconstruction of this magnificent temple. He began in 19 BC and finished in 63 AD. During this time, he transformed it into a grand architectural marvel, later renamed as Herod's Temple. The temple authorities took advantage of the pilgrims by charging excessively high prices for animals and by applying excessively high exchange rates for the temple shekels. This was a blatant act of theft. Jesus used a whip made of cords to overturn the money changer's table and chased away the traders from His Father's house. Jesus referred to the temple as His Father's house. John quoted Psalm 69:9, Zeal for your house will consume me.pause 1sec

Application 

From a spiritual perspective, traveling to Jerusalem to worship God always brings a profound sense of spiritual elevation. Likewise, attending church is consistently an uplifting and spiritual experience as we gather to worship God. Are you looking forward to attending church for Sunday worship with eager anticipation? If not, what's holding you back?

The Jewish leaders abused their power by exploiting the temple. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Avoid harming your body by using drugs or other harmful substances. It is essential to prioritize the well-being of your body and utilize it to honor God through devoted service. In Romans 12:1, you are encouraged to offer your body as a living sacrifice to God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to us through the Gospel of John. Thank You for helping us see, listen, empathize, understand, and follow You, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

 

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