For verses 12-14 i will talk about those next time.
In the meanwhile we will discuss the cleansing of the temple.
"And they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And He would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple." Mark 11:15-16
Background:
THE PASSOVER
It was holiday season for the Jews, time had arrived for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This seven-day Jewish holiday celebrates the time in the book of Exodus when the LORD passed over Israel. Preceding the feast is what is known as The Passover (Hebrew, Pesahk), celebrated on the 14th day of Nissan (Or Abib; the first month of the Jewish calender, spring-time in the northern hemisphere). This was a required holiday for all Jews, and they were not to come empty handed (Exodus 23).
"You shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, for He passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when He struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.'" Exodus 12:27
On the days leading up to Passover thousands, if not millions of Jews would migrate or traveled from where they were living to make a sacrifice and celebrate the festivities together. The historian, Josephus, estimated this number of people to be 2,700,200 during his lifetime (War of the Jews; B6,Ch9,P3).
Once a year the Israelites were to bring a tenth of all their produce from the fields, new wine and oil, and firstborn of livestock, if they had to much to carry or the distance were too great they were allowed to sell their goods in exchange for silver, then when they arrived in Jerusalem they could buy whatever they wanted with that money and celebrate it as to the Lord. (Deut. 14:22-29)
THE MONEY CHANGERS
"Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary, half a shekel as an offering to the LORD." Exodus 30:13
The coin of the known civilized world (Roman world) was at the time (211BC-275AD)(WIKI) the Denarius, a small silver coin weighing 4.5 pounds (originally). Because this coin had the images of Roman Emperors, or false gods of worship, they were unacceptable to the Jews as for temple use. According to Bible-History.com (among other websites), the silver shekel (about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams) "designed in Tyre and minted there and in Jerusalem, was acceptable at the Temple to pay that tax, but coins from other locations were not."
THOSE WHO SOLD PIGEONS
In the biography of Luke, the author records for us a record of what Joseph and Mary did during the early years of Jesus unique to his gospel.
"When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord" Ex. 13), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons (Lev. 12)." Luke 2:22-24
After giving birth, the woman was unclean for a set time, after that time she was to sacrifice a lamb and a pigeon (or dove) to be made ceremonially clean again. If she could not afford a lamb, then two doves or two pigeons would be acceptable. Within the old testament (see Leviticus) we read this concept of being ceremonially unclean, either by means of child birth, touching a dead body, or eating unclean foods (to name a few). If unclean, then participation in temple activities or Jewish festivals was not allowed (Example: Numbers 9)
THE SCENE:
With the background covered lets take another look at what went down.
Millions of people are traveling from great distances to participate in one of the three required national holidays. For many, it has been a year since their last arrival in Jerusalem. During this time away many things have happened, some of which were the deaths of old family members and the births of new, doubtless is this that sins had been committed and atonement was needed. Because of the distance some would travel it is likely that for the first time many women would be offering their sacrifices to remove uncleanliness to participate in the festivities. This would also be the opportunity for men to pay their taxes as well as families to add their sons to the census of Israel.
The money-changers, men who would exchange the denarius or other coins for a currency accepted by the temple. With so many people in Jerusalem, and so great a need for coin-exchange, the likelihood of dishonest scales being used would be high. This would be a season for untrustworthy people to take advantage of others and rake in an extra sum for themselves. Those who recognize the need for small birds at this time of sacrifice could also take advantage and sell these birds for inflated prices.
Proverbs reminds us, that dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD (prov. 11:1). God is Truth. It is His nature that He is Honest and therefore cannot lie (Num 23:19, Titus 1:2, Heb 6:18). Jesus, being God in the flesh, came to us full of grace and full of truth (John1:14, John 14:6), representing God to us here on earth (col 1:19). For Jesus, witnessing His temple being desecrated from the inside by dishonesty and religious practices stemming from hearts that completely missed the point, was outraged and showed His righteous indignation by clearing the temple of the idolatry.
APPLICATION:
GOD IS JEALOUS FOR YOU. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Cor 6:19-20)" And if Jesus would react the way He did for a lifeless temple that He knew would be destroyed in 70 AD (mark 13:2), then how much more will He react for a temple built for eternity? Creation, Divine Patience, Redemptive History, The Triumphal Entry, The Cross, Burial And Resurrection, in one way it is all to and for the glory of God, but His glory is accomplished through His love displayed to us, through His mercy given to us, through His blood poured out for us, its all for us! That we should take part in giving Him all glory and honor and praise.
So I want to ask myself this morning, Am I glorifying God with my body? or does He need to clear His temple?
What dishonesty is in my temple?
What bitterness am i holding onto not forgiving my neighbor?
Am I being self-righteous towards those who are unsaved?
Am I judging myself to be better then others?
Jesus, I feel honored that you consider me Your temple and I only ask that you reveal to me the areas that need a clearing away in my life. Then I prey for the strength and wisdom to take my part in holiness, living for the glory and honor and praise of Your Holy name. Amen.
WIKI ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denarius
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