The Cooling Stream

John 2:13-25

Jerusalem was crowded at Passover time with Jews.

Every male Jew from the age of twelve was expected to attend the feast which was celebrated to remember God's great deliverance of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt.

A lamb was sacrificed and eaten in the evening. Poor people sacrificed two doves.

The seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread followed.

Those selling sacrificial animals in the court of the temple were rogues who charged outrageous prices.

The cheating moneychangers also enjoyed a thriving trade because Roman coins were not accepted to pay the temple tax which had to be paid in Jewish currency.

The Lord Jesus was angry at such wicked practices taking place in the name of religion. He drove the animals from the temple and turned over the tables of the moneychangers.

This incident which occurred at the beginning of His ministry should not be confused with the cleansing of the temple at the close of His ministry.

When challenged to give a sign that He had the authority to take such drastic action, the Lord Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

The Jews thought that He was referring to Herod's temple which had taken 46 years to build. But He was speaking about His resurrection. Some of the Jews recalled this saying of Jesus after His death.

Jesus was challenged to give a sign and He did work miracles that Passover week.

Many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.

But the Lord Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men. The Lord Jesus knew that the faith of those who believed in Him at this Passover was not genuine. The greatest faith does not come through observing miracles or other sensational happenings.

True faith is seen in those who recognize their need for forgiveness and who trust in Christ alone to save them. They then forsake their sin and follow the Lord Jesus in glad obedience to His Word.

Does this describe us?