John 2:13-17 – God deserves honest worship

In John 2:1-12, Jesus had just had a great miracle in Cana of Galilee where He turned water into wine, to save the wedding couple from social embarrassment. After that event, we are told that He went down to Capernaum with His mother, brothers and disciples. And there they stayed a few days. Capernaum was separated from Cana by approximately 20 miles. The scenic Capernaum situated on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, with the backdrop of the hills of Mount Hermon, must have provided an ideal place for some rest and relaxation for Jesus, and those who went with Him at Cana.  

In verse 13, John tells us that the Passover was almost due. There was probably an air of expectancy. The Jews would usually take up to an entire month to prepare for that celebration. Jerusalem would be brimming with activities in preparation to commemorate their exodus from Egypt, the land of bondage. Roads would be repaired, bridges would be mended and tombs would be properly whitewashed. And during this season, this place would be crowded with people from all other cities coming for the celebration. In size, Jerusalem was not exactly a very big city, and to have almost a quarter million of visitors and citizens during this time, would certainly cause it to be overly congested.

Jesus went up to Jerusalem at this time. It was quite obvious that the first place He would want to go to was the temple. What He saw taking place in the temple was a great disappointment to Him. Money changers that were that to assist the worshippers were exploiting them. They were thereto provide money changing facility because the temple only used Jewish currency. Those Jews from other cities would have to change their foreign currency into what the temple could accept. The only problem was that they had to change it at exorbitant rates. The poor and sincere peasants who came seeking God were greatly exploited. Then there were those who were selling cattle, sheep and doves for sacrifice. Animals to be offered to God had to be without blemish and had to be qualified by the temple authority. So they had to get it from approved vendors. It is a known fact that the high priest, Annas, would actually sold franchises for money changing booths and animal sales. Here they not only desecrated the worship but also exploited the poor.

Enraged by what He saw, Jesus then overturned the table of the money changers and poured their coins on to the floor. And to those selling doves, He told them to take their trades elsewhere and stop making the Father’s house a place of merchandize. The passion He went about what He did caused the disciples to recall Psalm 69:9 - “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” We can almost imagine Jesus making a whip out of some cords, which He twisted together, and cleansed the temple. He told them to get those animals out. That day, Jesus, the Lamb became the Lion of God. It’s understandable why the Lord acted that way, as we consider how the authority had made a mockery of the significance of the Passover, and the true meaning of worship. 

Essentially, what we see here was the appalling practice of people who purported to love God. What was happening was the downright degradation of the worship of God. His house was to be a place of worship, but had been made a place for business, by people He had appointed to look after it. What happened only shows us how people could come to a point where they would totally disregard the honour that is due to our great, holy and awesome God. This few verses indicate to us the importance of worship. We must never distort and mishandle worship and dishonour God. The manner we approach God, and what we do as we come to worship Him, are clear indicators of our view of Him. We must never water down the importance of true worship. Don’t ever make light of it!