365 Days in the Gospels and Spirit of Prophecy
Flipping the Tables on Empty Religion — February 2 [Description]
Bible discovery
13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 365D 33.2
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers [b] doing business. 365D 33.3
15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 365D 33.4
16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 365D 33.5
17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house [c] has eaten Me up.” 365D 33.6
18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” 365D 33.7
19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 365D 33.8
20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 365D 33.9
21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 365D 33.10
22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this [d] to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. 365D 33.11
23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 365D 33.12
24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 365D 33.13
25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. 365D 33.14
Spirit of Prophecy Reading
The Desire of Ages pp.154-158: 365D 33.15
This chapter is based on John 2:12-22. 365D 33.16
“After this He went down to Capernaum, He, and His mother, and His brethren, and His disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.” 365D 33.17
In this journey, Jesus joined one of the large companies that were making their way to the capital. He had not yet publicly announced His mission, and He mingled unnoticed with the throng. Upon these occasions, the coming of the Messiah, to which such prominence had been given by the ministry of John, was often the theme of conversation. The hope of national greatness was dwelt upon with kindling enthusiasm. Jesus knew that this hope was to be disappointed, for it was founded on a misinterpretation of the Scriptures. With deep earnestness He explained the prophecies, and tried to arouse the people to a closer study of God's word. 365D 33.18
The Jewish leaders had instructed the people that at Jerusalem they were to be taught to worship God. Here during the Passover week large numbers assembled, coming from all parts of Palestine, and even from distant lands. The temple courts were filled with a promiscuous throng. Many were unable to bring with them the sacrifices that were to be offered up as typifying the one great Sacrifice. For the convenience of these, animals were bought and sold in the outer court of the temple. Here all classes of people assembled to purchase their offerings. Here all foreign money was exchanged for the coin of the sanctuary. 365D 33.19
The confusion is hushed. The sound of traffic and bargaining has ceased. The silence becomes painful. A sense of awe overpowers the assembly. It is as if they were arraigned before the tribunal of God to answer for their deeds. Looking upon Christ, they behold divinity flash through the garb of humanity. The Majesty of heaven stands as the Judge will stand at the last day,—not now encircled with the glory that will then attend Him, but with the same power to read the soul. His eye sweeps over the multitude, taking in every individual. His form seems to rise above them in commanding dignity, and a divine light illuminates His countenance. He speaks, and His clear, ringing voice—the same that upon Mount Sinai proclaimed the law that priests and rulers are transgressing—is heard echoing through the arches of the temple: “Take these things hence; make not My Father's house an house of merchandise.” 365D 33.20
Slowly descending the steps, and raising the scourge of cords gathered up on entering the enclosure, He bids the bargaining company depart from the precincts of the temple. With a zeal and severity He has never before manifested, He overthrows the tables of the money-changers. The coin falls, ringing sharply upon the marble pavement. None presume to question His authority. None dare stop to gather up their ill-gotten gain. Jesus does not smite them with the whip of cords, but in His hand that simple scourge seems terrible as a flaming sword. Officers of the temple, speculating priests, brokers and cattle traders, with their sheep and oxen, rush from the place, with the one thought of escaping from the condemnation of His presence. 365D 33.21
A panic sweeps over the multitude, who feel the overshadowing of His divinity. Cries of terror escape from hundreds of blanched lips. Even the disciples tremble. They are awestruck by the words and manner of Jesus, so unlike His usual demeanor. They remember that it is written of Him, “The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up.” Psalm 69:9. Soon the tumultuous throng with their merchandise are far removed from the temple of the Lord. The courts are free from unholy traffic, and a deep silence and solemnity settles upon the scene of confusion. The presence of the Lord, that of old sanctified the mount, has now made sacred the temple reared in His honor. 365D 33.22