CONFLICT REVOLUTION – CLEANING THE HOUSE

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

John 2:13-25 (CSB) The Jewish Passover was near, and so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and he also found the money changers sitting there. 15 After making a whip out of cords, he drove everyone out of the temple with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. 16 He told those who were selling doves, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”, 17 And his disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me., 18 So the Jews replied to him, “What sign will you show us for doing these things?” 

19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple,, and I will raise it up in three days.” 20 Therefore the Jews said, “This temple took forty-six years to build, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made. 23 While he was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival, many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. 24 Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all 25 and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man. 

1. Jesus cares about His house

Vss 13-16 The Jewish Passover was near, and so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and he also found the money changers sitting there. 15 After making a whip out of cords, he drove everyone out of the temple with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. 16 He told those who were selling doves, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

• In all four Gospels, we read an account of Jesus cleansing the temple
• There are differing opinions on whether John simply recorded this Temple cleansing out of order or whether there were two cleansings (one at the beginning of His ministry and one at the end) or only one cleansing.

2. The purpose of His house is to point to His work

Vss 17-22 And his disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me., 18 So the Jews replied to him, “What sign will you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple,, and I will raise it up in three days.” 20 Therefore the Jews said, “This temple took forty-six years to build, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made.

• Verse 17 quotes Psalm 69:9 which points to a Messianic reference. Jesus had just referred to the temple as His “Father’s House” and now the disciples are remembering OT references to God’s house.
• Jesus gave a prophetic statement about what was to come when Jesus would be crucified and risen again. This was the only sign needed for belief.

3. Believing in His work is different than believing in Him

Vss 23-25 While he was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival, many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. 24 Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all 25 and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.

• This passage points to tragic mistake of believing in Jesus as a person and a prophet, but not as the Son of God, the Savior of the world.
• Jesus recognized they were enthralled with what He said and did, but not in who He is.

Application

1. Recognize the importance of the House of God

2. Dig deeper into the present work of Jesus in your life and in the world

3. Fixing your eyes on Jesus as Savior of the world will keep you from being fixated on “working your way to Heaven”