Terry’s Take… Two Temples
Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, the feast that commemorated both the Israelites’ passing out of slavery in Egypt and the covenant that God made with the Jewish people in the wilderness.
“In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business.” Jesus saw that this was exploiting the temple and its sacrifices for monetary gain. Upon observing such activity, Jesus made a whip of cords and drove them all out…even violently… scattering the coins and turning over the tables. He told those selling pigeons: “Take these things away; you shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”
By referring to the temple as “my Father’s house,” Jesus reveals that he is the Father’s Son.
In response to Jesus’ actions, the stunned and irate Jews demand a sign that would authenticate his authority for performing such an unprecedented action, to which Jesus responds: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews immediately note that the temple has taken forty-six years to build, and “will you raise it up in three days?”
The word “this” is theologically significant. On the one hand, “this” is the stone temple that is directly in front of them. On the other hand, as the apostle John who was present at the time, later grasps, Jesus was referring to himself. As the Son of God incarnate, Jesus is the new and living temple, “for in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” (Colossians 2:9)
More next week…