Come and See His Passion
John 2:13-25
Introduction
John 2:15 So [Jesus] made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
This is familiar but stunning - Jesus turning over tables! Vs 17 “His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” Jesus was consumed with zeal / passion for one thing only: the mission of His Father to save the world. His teachings and sacrifice at the cross as well as resurrection were at the center of that passion. By nature, he would be at odds with the religious leaders of his day - as they reject him, but cannot stop him.
We are in a series called Come and See Jesus. Last week: Come and See His Power … today Come and See His Passion! What led Jesus to such a demonstration at the temple? What can we learn from this episode that all four gospels record?
It takes place at Passover. Josephus estimated that the crowd in Jerusalem swelled to 3 million people. Passover is the annual festival of remembrance of the night in Exodus when God instructed the children of Israel to place blood on the doorpost of their homes to avoid the punishment that would come to all of Egypt. Passover is a vivid reminder of God’s love for His people, His desire that they live by faith, and the coming rescue from ungodliness and pain of this world. It’s a reminder of His power, His love, His Sovereignty, His grace! Moses said they should always teach their children what the Passover was about.
John 2:13-25
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me."
18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?”
21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body.
22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.
24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.
25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
Jesus chose this moment to demonstrate his passion for His Father’s presence and mission. I see at least three reasons for his zealous actions on this day!
1. Four Reasons For the Prophetic Protest of Jesus
A Prophetic Move of Declaration.
Jesus’ actions should not be seen as originating from a hot temper, unthinking reaction, nor an attempt at vengeance. Jesus’ anger was righteous, and came from his passion for God’s Kingdom that was being abused. Jesus’ actions were prophetic, predicted by both Malachi and the author of Psalm 69. Jesus’ actions were a protest - this was nothing like what His Father had planned for the temple - and it abused the very purpose of the temple.
A Passion for the Poor.
The priesthood at this time is corrupt; the temple tax had been polluted by the priest’s greed. The Law required the tax to be paid in shekels, so currency had to be exchanged (at a high rate). Sacrificial animals were for sale at exorbitant charges. The money-making potential of the temple was staggering. Jesus had witnessed this each year as he and His family visited the temple. It had become a shrine to greed and a sanctuary for thieves . (Swindoll). This, of course, was of greatest disadvantage to the poor.
The Corruption of the Jewish Leaders.
They wanted to see a sign - but actually Jesus was not interested in performing miracles for them. He knew they were not receptive, they were not going to believe. He did, however, provide an answer that they could not perceive. In saying he would destroy the temple, he was pointing to Himself as the savior, the presence of God, not a building.
The Fickle Faith of Human Testimony (vs 23-25).
This event stirred the faith of some who watched. Jesus had much more to do to accomplish His purpose. He did not depend on this event to create the movement that would come eventually. - He understood it well (NIV - He knew what was in each person) (NLT He knew what was in each person’s heart)
2. Come and See the Passion of Jesus!
Jesus Loves Us!
The word Love is not in this text, but it is woven throughout John’s gospel. (He is the Apostle of Love). This action set in motion events that led to the cross. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are ultimate evidences of his great love for us and desire to save us! In the next chapter we will see just how much (3:16).
Jesus Teaches Us!
Are we as passionate for righteousness as Jesus was? Do we love the lost like Jesus did? Jesus was never distracted, sidetracked, from his mission! He teaches us by his example to care for the poor, love the Father, and live the Christian life with zeal! Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Jesus Cleanses Us!
What tables will he overturn in our lives?
Sins of Complacency - What sins have continued in our life for so long that we’ve just gotten used to them and no longer are moved to try to remove them? Clean them out!
Sins of Convenience - What sins in our own lives are we allowing to continue because it’s easier just let it continue? We can fall into the trap of working very hard to meet the demands of our job, school, favorite recreation and pouring very little effort into our Christian walk. Jesus overturn the tables!
Conclusion
Our invitation this month is to Come and See Jesus - and in this powerful text we see Jesus enacting a powerful act of protest! It reminds the disciples of Psalm 69:9: Zeal for your house will consume me.
Does Zeal for His House Consume Us? The world and the church can get into a frenzied zeal over so many things … how often it is for his house?
Paul described the church as the “household of faith” - a place where we are brothers and sisters with a Father who cares for us. Are we consumed with zeal for the church?
His Father’s House is Us. Paul teaches that the temple of God is now us - and the Holy Spirit lives within us. Does our zeal for God consume us - all of us… intellect, spirituality, physical life?
As disciples of Jesus I pray that we will be consumed with zeal for Jesus in such a way that He impacts everything we think, do, and say.
When you think about this episode in the life of Jesus I pray you will be reminded to believe in the One who had authority to call us to be zealous for Him and to overturn the tables of sin in our lives. To let Jesus clean house.
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Video of this message can be seen by searching the YouTube channel of Forsythe Church of Christ after the Sunday in which it was presented. (https://www.youtube.com/c/ForsytheChurchofChrist)
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LifeGroup Discussion Questions
1. This is definitely a unique story that is found in all four Gospels, although in John’s Gospel it comes much earlier in Jesus’ ministry. What makes you uncomfortable about this story? What do you like about this story?
2. Why do you think John placed this story so close to the beginning of his gospel when the other writers placed it near the end of Jesus’ life?
3. The Temple consisted of a series of courts leading into the Temple proper and to the Holy Place. There was first the Court of the Gentiles, then the Court of the Women, then the Court of the Israelites, then the Court of the Priests. All this buying and selling was going on in the Court of the Gentiles which was the only place into which a Gentile might come. An uncomfortable question: What is there in our church life which may be a barrier to the seeking stranger?
4. In John, Jesus dies as the lambs are being slaughtered in the temple in preparation for the Passover meal (19:14,30-31). In that way the passover frames the Gospel of John. What are some connections between the passover and the cross of Christ?
5. Jesus was never distracted from his mission. What are some reasons why we are easily distracted from the mission of Christianity? Can you think of some strategies for staying focused?
6. What is the one area of being zealous for Christ you’d like most to grow in?
7. What else did you want to talk about today?
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Resources
Swindoll, Charles R. Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary: John. Tyndale, 2014.
Feasting on the Gospels, John, Volume 1. (Gary Neal Hansen, Davis Hankins, et. al)
