You can imagine the scene as Christ stood magnificently alone after clearing out the cattle market and the money changers' tables. Did He seize a broom and sweep the place also? His challenging words in verse 16 must have stung, "There is a place for everything and this is not the place for a market. This is my Father's house of worship." But He wasn't alone too long. Immediately the Jewish leaders demanded to know His authority for His drastic actions. No one had ever done this before. He had just claimed this was His Father's house and the Jews were disputing His claim. "If your Father is God then show us a miracle to prove it right here and now." Our Lord gave them this answer, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days." How they must have laughed at His answer. That Temple had taken many many years to build. But they were not speaking about the same place. The Jews were referring to the building of stone and wood. Christ was speaking of His death and resurrection and meant the temple of His body. Christ didn't explain what He meant. It would not have been much use. Those Jews would not listen to Him or try to understand Him; their final answer was to crucify Him - the very event He was talking about. Christ said, "The final proof that this is my Father's house and that the Father has sent me will be seen in my death and resurrection." It is the same today. His right to cleanse and remake a life lies in His death and triumphant resurrection. Sad to say it would seem that as soon as Christ's back was turned the cattle market and the money changers moved back in again. Christ drove them out once more in the final week of His earthly life but then had to leave them to their own devices. We might pray today, "Lord take my life, cleanse it, sanctify it, keep it clean. It is yours. Do what you will with it, only use it for your glory. Amen!" |
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