John 2:13-18

13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 

14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 

15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 

16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 

17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”

Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover as He was commanded to do so in the old law. People were using the temple to make money for themselves. They were selling oxen, sheep, and doves to people for them to use for their sacrifice. It would have been hard for people traveling a long way to bring a lamb without blemish all the way to Jerusalem. Pigeons and doves were the sin offering for the poor, so they were being sold at the temple as well. They were also taking up the temple tax that every male 20 years and older was to pay (Exodus 30:13-14). People who came from far away could not pay their tax with foreign currency so there were money changers there to exchange the foreign money for the currency needed to pay the temple tax. In verse 15, we see that Jesus makes a whip of cords and drives the people selling doves and the money changers out of the temple. He also poured out the changers’ money and turned their tables over. Jesus definitely made His point! 

This account is also found in Matt. 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, and Luke 19:45-46, but John’s account is significantly different. In the Matthew, Mark, and Luke accounts, the writer focuses on the dishonesty of the people who are conducting business in the temple. However, in John’s account, Jesus focuses on the people who are selling doves. He doesn’t say that they are dishonest. So….whether the entrepreneurs are honest or not, Jesus deems this activity that is happening in the temple as wrong. They should not be using the temple to run a business even if they are being honest and fair. Of course, we know that there was dishonesty going on because of the other gospel accounts where Jesus said, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”. Jesus quotes scripture from the old testament in the Matthew, Mark, and Luke accounts. He quotes from Isaiah 56:7 where it says, “For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” He quotes from Jeremiah 7:11 where it says, “Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes?” John does not record these quotes, but instead focuses on Jesus’ words to the people selling doves. He told them to take these things away, and that they should not be running their business out of His Father’s house. Maybe they were honest business owners, but Jesus let them know that this was not the place for that. It was interfering with the worship. The temple was a place to pray and give thanks. All of this activity was a distraction to the true purpose of the Passover event…..which was to worship and praise God for all that He had done for them.

Does this statement by Jesus carry over to us today? It absolutely does. What about coffee shops selling drinks and breakfast items in church buildings? I’m not talking about coffee and a muffin provided for free at the back of the classroom before the bible study class. Some may disagree with this, and it is up to the elders whether they think this is appropriate or not. Personally, I don’t think that is a big deal, but I’m not getting into that argument today. I’m talking about an actual Starbucks/coffee shop pulling in revenue during church services. This is exactly what Jesus was talking about in this account. “Don’t make my Father’s house a house of merchandise.” What about selling books, DVDs, CDs and other materials at the time of worship? The church should not be making money in this manner. The church gets its funds from the generosity and pure hearts of the members who come to worship in spirit and truth. That generosity is an act of worship. No one should have to buy study materials at the church building during worship. If study materials are out on display at the time of worship, then they should be free. We are trying to convert people to Christ. If a visitor came into our worship service, we would not want them to have to buy our materials in order to learn the truth. Now…..I’ve been to ladies’ days where a female author would be speaking, and after the service/program is over, she would have some of her books out on display for sale to anyone who was interested. This is not what I am referring to. A ladies day or a lectureship is a program for Christians to grow in their faith, and the speaker’s materials are sometimes out for sale after the program. It is not for the church to make money off of. It is for that individual to be compensated as they continue their work in the kingdom. I’m only referring to general study materials/tracts/DVDs laid out on Sunday morning before and during worship. Nothing should distract from our worship or take our mind away from focusing on God…..certainly not getting out our cash or debit card to buy a coffee or a book. Our church is not the temple of the Old Testament. God is not confined within the walls of our buildings, but we do go to the building to worship as God’s people, and we should worship Him in spirit and truth with no distractions. 

In verse 17, the disciples quote a Psalm of David, Psalm 69:9, “Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up….”. The disciples are not speaking about Jesus’ anger at the situation. Zeal is not anger. This lets me know that Jesus was still in complete control of Himself. The disciples were speaking of His zeal for God’s house! It made them think of the zeal that David had for God’s house. Jesus receives some hostility from the Jews in verse 18. Paraphrasing in my own words, they said, “Who do you think you are?” Let’s think about us as members of the Lord’s church today. Don’t we receive hostility for our zeal to follow the scriptures today? Don’t we sometimes feel that same type of attitude thrown at us…..the “who do you think you are” attitude? I mean….Jesus said the world would hate us, but not to worry, because it hated Him first (John 15:18). But He also says in Matthew 10:22 that, “ we “will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” We are to have a zeal for God’s house as well…..God’s house being the Lord’s church. Our zeal should drive us to want to help save lost souls. Souls make up God’s house. Our zeal for saving the lost should push us to respond to others in a kind way even towards those who are condescending and obstinate towards us. Zeal….pursuing, embracing, or defending the gospel of Christ. Zeal leads to growing God’s kingdom. Isn’t that what being a Christian is all about? 

Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? If you aren’t, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are…..believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan that God has set forth in His Word, for humankind to receive His grace that leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

Then, we remain faithful in our commitment to Christ until death. (Revelation 2:10, 2 Peter 2:20-22)