Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Previously:
Jesus gained his disciples in Bethany (the Baptism spot) and the gang* made their way towards Galilee--near their hometowns.
*Mary's Pov at the wedding: Jesus went to Bethany and came back with disciples...His time is near.
After the party, Mary joined Jesus and the Disciples for a short trip to Capernaum. (Not sure what they did there.)

Post Galilee trip: Jesus goes to Jerusalem for Passover and goes ballistic over the desecration of the temple.

Is there a home in the world for me?

Connections

I am reminded of the prophecy in 2 Samuel. That David’s home be strong, so his son would be able build a permanent home for the Lord. I think the Lord hadn’t had a real home in while. Not since Moses’s time when the craftsman was blessed to build The Tabernacle (“a dream home”). Since then, His place had been tents. The Ark had been stolen and it had to resort to becoming like a cursed item in order to get returned home. His appointed people didn’t honor him or the commandments.

People can be frustrating. Their greed can seep even into what was supposed to be the MOST HOLY PLACE. His own house. I don’t think this is the same temple that was built by King Solomon. 1 Kings 6:38 states, “it took him 7 years” [to build that first temple], not 46 years. How many times do temples have to be lost and destroyed?

But rather than getting bitter or vengeful about it, remember that this is how the world has been from the beginning. That’s why Jesus was sent on his special mission.

Destroy this temple and in three days, I will raise it up. [John 2:19]

He had been reluctant in Cana, but now in Jerusalem…Jesus openly did miracles during the Passover feast. That gained him more followers.

Speculation

The Lord knew what was next. This had been a pattern for so long… there was no amount of miracles that would keep the people satisfied and faithful, nor would intimidation keep them from sinning.

Examples:

• What his stern voice looks like
  • (Exodus 20) ¹⁸ Now all the people witnessed the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the smoking mountain; and as they looked, the people were afraid, and they trembled [and moved backward] and stood at a [safe] distance. ¹⁹ Then they said to Moses, “You speak to us and we will listen, but do not let God speak to us or we will die.” ²⁰ Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him [that is, a profound reverence for Him] will remain with you, so that you do not sin.”
    • Way different than how He approached his first commandment. He was clearly trying to make a strong impression this time.
• All it takes is getting a bit hungry and they stop singing your praises
  • (Exodus 16) The whole congregation of the Israelites [grew discontented and] murmured and rebelled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, ³ and the Israelites said to them, “^[b]Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and ate bread until we were full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this entire assembly with hunger.”
• What happened when they brought the Ark from its place into battle?
  • Instead of leaving it in its place and praying at it (as intended?), they tried to shake God out of his “silent treatment” by bringing the Ark into battle to help them.
  • Ironically, it ended up empowering the enemy forces to fight harder out of fear and DEFEAT them.