Stop making My Father’s house a place of business! – Devotional | John 2: 12-17

Last time we stopped at verse 11, chapter 2 of the Gospel of John. I read how Lord Jesus turned water into wine. Today we read from verses 12 to 17:

After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother, and His brothers and His disciples; and they stayed there a few days. The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!” His disciples remembered that it was written: “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” (John 2:12-17 NASB)

After the wedding in Cana, Jesus and his mother, brothers, and disciples spent a few days in Capernaum. It may be an insignificant detail, but we find Jesus here with his family. He most likely had blood brothers, but some believe they were cousins. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was about 50 years old here, but nothing is mentioned about his father Joseph.

We read that the Passover of the Jews was near. By the Passover, all Jews were to go to Jerusalem, to the Temple, to worship God in remembrance of the exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt. And because not everyone had the opportunity to bring animals for sacrifice from afar, a kind of market had been set up near the Temple where people exchanged money for animals and birds. This greatly angered the Lord Jesus, so that “he made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; he poured out the money of the money changers, and overthrew their tables. The place where people had to come to worship had become a place of business. “Take them away from here, and do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise.”

Jesus called the Temple in Jerusalem “My Father’s house” because it was indeed the place where God was present in the Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest had access. The Lord Jesus was the Son of God, and what he saw aroused his jealousy. This scene reminded the disciples of a prophecy in the OT that says, “The zeal of Your house has consumed me.”

Today God no longer lives in a physical Temple. He lives in the hearts of believers. Let’s analyze our hearts and see if it hasn’t turned into a trading place or an entertainment house? Think carefully about where you spend the most time? What are your occupations and interests and what place does God occupy in your life?

Let us pray: “My Father who art in heaven. You no longer live in temples made by human hands. You live in my heart. If the place where you live has turned into a place of commerce, forgive me. Cleanse my heart of any idol and help me live only for you. In the name of Jesus I prayed. Amen!”

So help us God. I also want to invite you to a spiritual growth seminar where we will study the book of Malachi together in the Bible. This will help us to keep our hearts clean of idols and other things to guard against.

God bless you!

Translated by Didina Vicliuc