“Walking With Jesus”

Lesson Commentary

018 - JESUS CLEANS HOUSE
Why Is Honesty Important In Business?

Occasionally, I like to go see a movie (no “R” rated!).I make sure I am well fed before I get to the theatre because the price of their food is so high compared to grocery stores and other places. Sometimes I am at a place through a mealtime and have little choice but to fast or pay the high price. I agree with making a reasonable profit, but I consider this gouging!

Have you ever felt that you were being overcharged for food at a theme park or theatre? Have you ever been shopping somewhere and you knew that the prices were inflated, but you paid it anyhow because you didn’t want to wait or felt that you had no choice because you needed that product or service? Jesus observed a situation like that and actually did something about it! We are in John 2:13-25.

Jesus attends the Feast of Passover!

This the first visit to Jerusalem since His 30^th birthday. Jesus now officially inaugurates His ministry! As any Jewish man will do, He goes to the Temple to participate in the sacrifices and rituals that are a part of the Jewish religious system.Population has swelled from 100,000 to 2.5-3 million Jews.

Learn to Recognize a Problem! – John 2:13-14

Since so many of the Jews have been scattered over the known world and most of them try to make it to Jerusalem for the 3 Feasts, it is hard, if not impossible for them to bring animals for the sacrifices. Locals sell their animals as a service to these travelers. Money changers help them exchange their foreign coinage for the proper temple tax (at inflated rates of exchange)!

Priests see money in this and open up the bazaar in the Temple grounds. They condemn any outside animals brought in as imperfect and sell the worshipper one of their own at inflated prices!

The idea of providing that which is needed for those who are from out of town is very noble. But to gouge and inflate the price is taking unfair advantage of your fellow countryman. Greed often overrules service. Are you aware of any church or service organization that lost the focus on their purpose and became obsessed on getting more money instead of fulfilling their mission?

Step in to Resolve the Problem! – John 2:15-17

Jesus’ love for God eats at Him to stop this sinful practice. Our love for God causes us to change our lives and follow Jesus!

Jesus has seen this scene before, but for reasons that we will not know until we get to Heaven, He waits until now to do something about it. Either way, His passion for His Father and all that represents God before the people, causes Him to take serious action.

Maybe this practice has escalated this year from previous years. Maybe it was because it wasn’t time for Jesus to act.Regardless, He is man enough to take on the establishment and a crowd of hundreds of priests who are clearly doing wrong and expose their hypocrisy. He makes a whip to drive the animals and starts clearing the area! “All my heroes are cowboys!" –

Some will say, “no selling in church”, but it wasn’t the selling that was the problem. It was the inflating of the prices to exorbitant levels! Inflating the price is not respectful of your customers! Is there anything that Jesus needs to purge out of your “temple”?

Be Prepared for Resistance! – John 2:18

The established leaders question Jesus’ authority to step in and start throwing things around. That is good! They want to know by what right Jesus thinks He has to do what He did. Sometimes we get too busy controlling instead of just observing or inquiring!

Stand for the Truth! – John 2:19-22

Jesus’ reply avoids the priest’s question, because He knows that they won’t be able to comprehend the truth. Instead, He makes a claim that is so over their level of understanding and He does it with such a confidence and authority that they are left speechless and unable to stop Him.

He references the most sacred Jewish institution (the Temple) and makes an allegory in reference to His own life. Being built over the last 46 years and still has 33 years before it is finished. Jesus is speaking about Himself. It is too early for Jesus to really elaborate on who He is.

Don’t Tolerate Evil! – John 2:23-25

Jesus continues to do many other miracles while in town. At the same time, He also does some preaching. However, He does not seek the approval or endorsement of the religious establishment because they are too caught up into themselves and are forsaking God.

CONCLUSION

One of the traits of self-confidence is that you don’t need the approval of others to know that you are okay or to accomplish what you have been called by God to do. Do you need to do any personal “housecleaning”? Are you going to stand with Jesus against the temptations of the world?

Next Week: Jesus gets a visit from a “secret” follower. What will Jesus tell him he must do?