If you look at the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), only a handful of the same stories are told in all four accounts. Jesus cleansing the temple is one of those stories (though John places the chronology of that event differently than the other three). This means that something about Jesus cleansing the temple is essential to the gospel narrative. What is it?
The Jerusalem temple was where God manifested His presence; people from all over the world gathered to pray and connect with the God of the universe, and the sins of man were atoned for. But Jesus looks around, and all He sees is idolatry and the exploitation of this holy house. He is consumed by a zeal for His Father’s house, just like His predecessor, David. The cleansing work of Christ disrupts the unholy system that godless men had made in the name of God. But notice also the response by those of humble faith.
12 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” 17 And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there. (Matthew 21:12–17)
Why do you think Jesus was so forceful in cleansing the temple? What does this reveal about His priorities?
The temple cleansing shows us what provokes God’s anger: exploiting the means by which people could draw near to God. The religious leaders were prideful, corrupt, and greedy. They knew the Scriptures but failed to honor God. They profited from people’s needs and desires to be made right with God.
But, the temple cleansing also shows us what provokes God’s compassion. The Jesus who turns over tables is the same Jesus who welcomes the blind, the beggars, the lame, and the children. The religious leaders' indignant response contrasts with infants' joyful praise, illustrating the kingdom’s openness to all of humble faith. How will you respond today to Jesus’ cleansing work? Pride or praise?
Lord Jesus, just as You cleansed the temple and restored it as a house of prayer, I ask You to search my heart and cleanse it of anything that dishonors You. Drive out the corruption, selfishness, and sins hindering my worship and devotion. Teach me to honor Your holiness and to desire the things that delight You. May my heart always be a place where You are worshiped and adored, filled with prayer, praise, and love for Your glory. Amen.
