LESSON 14: Jesus Purifies the Temple

Lesson 14: Jesus Purifies the Temple

When Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, He entered the Temple (God’s holy house). He was deeply troubled by what He saw. Instead of a sacred space filled with prayer and worship, the courts were crowded with merchants selling animals for sacrifices and money changers exploiting worshippers. The noise of bargaining and the clatter of coins had drowned out the true purpose of God’s house.

Overcome with righteous anger, Jesus fashioned a whip from cords and drove out the livestock, overturned the money changers’ tables, and sternly rebuked those who had turned His Father’s house into a marketplace. (Mathew 21:12-23)

This dramatic act was not just about clearing a physical space—it was a powerful message about purity, reverence, and true worship. Jesus quoted Scripture, declaring, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!” (Matthew 21:13). He wanted people to understand that God’s presence demands honor, not hypocrisy. Worship should come from a sincere heart, not selfish motives.

What can we learn from this?

For us today, this story serves as a reminder to examine our own attitudes in God’s house. Do we treat church as a place to encounter God, or are we distracted by other things? Just as Jesus purified the Temple, He wants to cleanse our hearts so we can worship Him in spirit and truth. True faith is not about rituals or appearances—it’s about loving God with reverence and integrity.

Questions

Why was Jesus upset when He entered the Temple?
What did Jesus do to clean the Temple?
What did Jesus say the Temple should be called? (Hint: Check Matthew 21:13)