John 2:13-17 (NIVUK)
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!’ 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’
Reflecting on this incident on Sunday, Dzifa asked about the authority Jesus had to undertake such drastic actions (we may reflect on that tomorrow). As well as his authority, the other aspect of Jesus on display here is his ‘zeal’ as noted in verse 17. Jesus is driven here by the love and commitment he has to serve God’s house, in other words the place where God and humanity met. He’s not concerned about the building itself, but that people should be free to able to come into God’s presence and open themselves to a relationship with him.
Spirit, help us like Jesus, to be passionate about helping others come into our Father’s presence.
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