Matthew 21:12-13

Matthew 21:12-13
Matthew gives a brief account of Jesus cleansing the temple while the other gospels are more detailed. This is apparently the second time Jesus cleansed the temple, the first being at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:13-17). The word for “temple” here refers to the outer court known as the court of the Gentiles. It was into this area that anyone could enter including those who were not Jews.
The Passover was a time in which pilgrims from all over the world came to worship. Lambs and doves were sacrificed and a half-shekel temple tax was paid. The Sadducees, who claimed the priestly descent, were in control of the temple and made a handsome profit from the selling of animals and the changing of money. Since sacrificial animals had to be without blemish, it was common for them to reject animals brought in from the outside but sell their own pre-approved animals at prices up to 20 times the going rate. Money changing was similar. They did not accept just any coinage. Tyrian coinage was preferred, but Roman coins were rejected. The moneychangers would change the rejected money at a rate of a 25-30 percent markup. Therefore their sin was twofold. First, they had filled a place intended for prayer with merchants. Second, they were cheating the people.
Just imagine the scene as money from the tables flies onto the floor and animals are being driven in all directions. Is this in character with the kind of “Jesus” most people picture? It is certainly the true picture of Jesus and therefore the true picture of God. The Lord is intolerant of sin and especially intolerant of those who claim to be worshipers but in reality are only serving themselves. Imagine the cleansing Jesus would do if He were here today. “Worship” that is filled with entertainment, rock bands, and preachers giving sweet promises of a soft life while lining their pockets with money from adoring crowds are no different than the corruption practiced by these Sadducees. We need more “temple-cleansings” so that we might get back to the true meaning of worship. Romans 12:1 sums it up: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Berry Kercheville