Today marks the second day of Passion Week. On the first day, Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. He was proclaiming Himself to be both Messiah and King. In addition, He was presenting Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice to be offered for the forgiveness of sin.
On the second day Jesus returned to Jerusalem and entered the Temple. Once inside, he encountered the marketplace owned by the former High Priest, Annas and run by his sons. It was set up in the Court of the Gentiles which was the only place non-Jews and infirmed could go.
Clearing the Temple: Jesus went through marketplace, overturning the tables where money exchanged, and animals were purchased for sacrifice.
This was the second time Jesus cleared the Temple. There are a few differences in the two times. In the first (John 2:13-25), Jesus fashioned a whip and drove the moneychangers out. The second time (Matthew 21:12-13), it would appear He did not use a whip but overturned the tables and benches that held many of the animals.
There is one major difference, in my mind. During the first clearing, Jesus referred to the Temple as “my Father’s house.” But the second time, Jesus referred to it as “My house.” Why the difference? The day before, Jesus presented Himself as the Messiah, the King of the Jews. It was time for Him to be revealed as God.
The Marketplace: The vendors of the marketplace weren’t wrong. What they did with the money and where they put it, made it wrong. Travelers were required to purchase animals for their sacrifice. They probably would need to exchange their money for Roman money, but since Roman money was not permissible for Jews to have, the presence of Roman money in the Temple was sacrilegious. Scholars believe the former High Priest Annas and his sons owned and operated the marketplace that was functioning in the Temple. Most believe there was price gouging happening. After all, there were close to two million people visiting Jerusalem for the Passover and they would all need some Roman money plus they would all need to purchase animals for their sacrifices. Prices went up. Fees for changing money increased. This all happened in what was known as the Court of Gentiles.
Warren Wiersbe wrote, “The Temple Court was being used for mercenary means rather than missionary business.”
The Court of Gentiles: The most grievous part of this event is that the Court of Gentiles was the only place were non-Jews or those who were blind, lame or otherwise unfit for the Temple could come. But there was no room for them. Based on what happens in Matthew 21:14, I would assume the lack of ministry to these folks was as much of a heartache for Jesus as the lack of integrity of the merchants.
Once Jesus had cleared the area, Matthew 21:14 makes it sound as if the blind and lame immediately appeared. (Matthew 21:14 “The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.”)
Here’s my take-a-way: Once we get our lives cleaned up, once we get our ministries cleaned up and start doing business like we are supposed to do business, we are going to see ministry start to happen like never before.
As fast as the Court of the Gentiles filled up with the blind and lame, I must assume they were all standing nearby just waiting for a chance to be ministered to. I believe the same is still true. There are many folks who are “blind” and “lame” out there, just waiting for someone to come along and help them see and walk a new path.
Always in Pursuit!
Don
In Pursuit! 