Repeat Performance

Repeat Performance

Luke 19:45, NLT

Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices.

John 2:13-16, NLT

It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Setting the Scene

These two passages mark two different times that Jesus cleared the Temple. Early in his public ministry, just after he had turned water into wine in Cana (John 2:1-12) and during the Passover season, Jesus had taken a whip and had chased out the merchants and money changers (John 2:13-17). At that time, Jesus had declared, “Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Evidently, keeping the Court of the Gentiles open and accessible didn’t last long because just a couple of years later Jesus returned and found the Temple again filled with stalls and the sounds of merchants shouting, sheep bleating, and coins clinking—all with the priests’ approval.

Getting Personal

When have you tried to stop or start a specific habit or routine? How long did your reformation last?

What changes has God through his Spirit made in your life since you first believed?

What changes do you want him to make?

Bad habits are difficult to break, especially in our own strength and without true repentance. The merchants and money changers who had been using the Temple court as a religious shopping mall had scattered and fled under Jesus’ authority and whip. But they hadn’t left because they had seen the error of their ways; neither had the priests. So everyone returned to business as usual, presumably at the first opportunity.

Jesus wants to drive out all sorts of sinful attitudes, motives, and actions from our lives. We may respond by conforming or reforming for a while, making resolutions and trying our best to do better. Unless change occurs on the inside through sincere sorrow and the work of the Holy Spirit, however, we’ll return to those bad habits or worse. Make your “temple” God’s “house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13, NLT).

Talking to God

God already knows your weaknesses, shortcomings, and failures—and he knows when you truly desire to be better and do better. Bring your longing for change before him today, and ask for his Spirit to bring lasting change.