Come and See Part 5: Jesus Cleans House | (John 2:13–25) Grace + Truth
Grace: The wedding at Cana | Truth: Cleansing the Temple
John 1:14 (ESV) The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
“Grace invites us in. Truth cleans us out.”
I. The Confrontation John 2:13–17 (ESV) 13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
A. Passover John 2 John 6 John 11-13
The New Temple ‣ The Bread of Life ‣ The Lamb of God
Purification ‣ Provision ‣ Sacrifice
B. The Problem Throughout the Old Testament, we see a theme of God condemning the religious practice of heartless worship.
“Jesus overturns tables when the system becomes transactional instead of transformational.”
C. The Zeal of Jesus Zechariah 8:2 (NIV) “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.” Proverbs 6:34 (ESV) For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge. “His anger is pointed at what hinders worship; His passion is directed towards what he desires.”
II. The conversation John 2:18-23 (ESV) 18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
1. Jesus is saying, “I am the New Temple.” “ Jesus is saying, “I am the new meeting place.”
2. Jesus is acting as the High Priest.
Hebrews 10:19–22 (ESV) 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
3. Jesus is pointing to The Final Sacrifice & Victory
Hebrews 10:12–14 (ESV) 12 When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
4. Jesus is reclaiming what is sacred—not a system, but worship itself. John 4:23–24 (ESV) 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
5. Jesus makes us places of Worship 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV) 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Romans 12:1 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
III.The Conclusion John 2:23-25(ESV) 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
Colossians 3:5–6 (ESV) 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
