Scripture: Jn 2:13-22

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.”

18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Jesus sets a good example of coming together for corporate worship.

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. —Hebrews 10:24-25

What did Jesus See in the Temple Courts?

In the temple courts, he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. —Jn 2:14

• The Temple of God was defiled and had become a messy, smelly and noisy marketplace.
• The merchants and moneychangers were crooks and swindlers taking advantage of the people and exploiting the poor.
• The priests were corrupted, unfaithful, and untrustworthy.

The House of God/Temple was and is supposed to be:

• A place of prayer and worship, meditation and consecration, surrender and sacrifice, healing and deliverance, encouragement and acceptance, repentance and forgiveness, correction and restoration.
• A place to read and hear God’s word and respond to His prompting.

But unscrupulous merchants and priests had turned it into a messy marketplace and a den of thieves.

What did Jesus do?

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.” —Jn 2:15-17

• Jesus cleaned up the place so that His Father’s House will really be called “a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isa. 56:7)
• He fulfilled the prophesy of Malachi 3:1-4

I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years. —Malachi 3:1-4

Likewise, Jesus will clean up this Temple within us.

He will discipline us if we defile it and revert to our old ways and carnality.

He expects us to be Christ-minded, Spirit-minded, heavenly-minded and spiritually driven to stay hungry, thirsty and needy for more of Him each day.

Why? So that we can

• BE what He wants us to Be and DO what He wants us to do.
• Influence and impact many lives for His kingdom.
• Shine for Him and be a blessing to many.

18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. —Jn 2:18-22

God wants us to clean up our lives.

Time is short.

Anything can happen suddenly.

3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. —Psalm 24:3-4

A Clean Life will

• Enable us to worship God passionately and truthfully. It will honor Him and magnify His name before those who relate to us or come across our path.
• Excite us to read and study the scriptures to know His will, way and purpose for our life - so that we can worship Him in spirit and truth. We won’t just go through the motions of worship but our whole heart, soul, mind, and spirit are in it.
• Motivate us “to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship.” (Rom.12:1)
• Help us shine for Him realistically and honestly.

In short, God wants us to:

• Clean Up
• Pray Up
• Read Up
• Live Up – Serve Up and Speak Up

What Must You Do?

• Ask God to touch you afresh and anew.
• Bow humbly before Him and admit your shortcomings.
• Confess your sin and Repent of your wrongdoings.
• Determine to make your life and everyday count for Him and His kingdom.