Why did Jesus Drive the Money-Changers out of the Temple?
Posted : 2 Aug, 2011 06:17 AM
Kids Talk About God by Carey Kinsolving
"The temple is a holy place, not a place to charge money to people who come there," says Melissa, 12. "We should not go into a holy place and charge people money because a church or temple is not a tax department."
"Jesus drove the money-changers out because he said, 'My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves,'� says Kosse, 10. �God's action teaches me that if you are deceitful or use the church for the wrong reason, you will not be rewarded.�
During the various religious feasts in which thousands of Jews traveled to Jerusalem, authorities allowed money-changers and animal sellers inside the outer court of the temple. People bought animals to sacrifice, and they had to exchange foreign money for money acceptable to religious leaders.
These temple-sanctioned businesspeople were inside a place of worship. When people profane sacred things by trying to profit financially from them, they become dull and callous to the ways of God's spirit. The problem only compounds when they become ministry leaders.
"Jesus drove them out because he didn't want the house of his father to become a house of merchandise," says Morgan, 10. "In the Bible, it also said, 'Zeal for your house has eaten me up.'"
Yes, Jesus got angry, but it wasn't the kind of selfish anger we so often exhibit.
The money-changers were making it hard for common people to worship God. The outer court of the temple was full of bleating sheep and money- changers. Jerusalem visitors had to exchange their money for the currency accepted by the temple priests.
Everyone was focused on money � or the lack of it.
"When Jesus said he could build the temple in three days, he was trying to get the people to believe in him," says Shelby, 8.
Jesus spoke of his body as the temple, and the three days he mentioned referred to his resurrection on the third day. Jesus was the reality to which the temple pointed.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
The next time your pastor refers to the church building as the house of God, please remind him that God doesn't dwell in buildings, but in the hearts of his people. When we come to worship God, we must put aside all distractions and agendas. Jesus wants his people to experience the joy and peace of undistracted devotion to him.
The Hebrew prophets foresaw a time when God himself would live in his people (Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Joel 2:28). That time is now!
Think about this: In Jesus' time, people traveled for days to visit the temple where God's presence dwelt. If you're a Christian, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Memorize this truth: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" (I Corinthians 6:19).
Ask this question: If you really believed your body is the temple where God's spirit dwells, how would the reality of God's sacred presence affect your thoughts, behavior, work and recreation?
Why did Jesus Drive the Money-Changers out of the Temple?
Posted : 2 Aug, 2011 06:47 AM
Larger churches do this sort of thing today playing Bingo, doing singles activities, and a host of other non-worship activities often involving money. What organized religion's become bears little resemblance to what it began as.
Why did Jesus Drive the Money-Changers out of the Temple?
Posted : 2 Aug, 2011 08:22 AM
Yes, no wonder why non-believers are turned off when they see what has become of some houses of worship. I think we are living in the end time apostasy.
Why did Jesus Drive the Money-Changers out of the Temple?
Posted : 2 Aug, 2011 09:57 AM
I would respectfully suggest a slightly different view as possible.
I think that when Jesus says "prayer" he means honest, genuine communion (intimate, close communication) with God. The noises of the animals would have been drowned out by the crowds in the temple anyway, especially since the animals were not really close to very much. From my understanding (which may not be correct, just saying) the money changers were allowed to be where they were, and traditionally had been for many years; the reason Jesus was so righteously offended might have been because they weren't honest money changers doing a service to people from other places by exchanging the right kind of currency but were instead blatant cheats. I think the issue might not have been entirely that they were there, or even why they were there but rather that they were making God's house into a cheatful money making factory for their own selfish gain.
Besides, quite honestly there was not much space to have the money changers and sacrifice sellers to be placed anywhere else and still be near the temple (Jerusalem is a remarkably crowded city and was probably even more so back then) and their purpose was mostly for those people who would not be familiar with Jerusalem anyway so they would have to be easy to find.
I think God was perhaps more offended by the underhanded motivations and the taking advantage of others in dishonesty than the mere fact that they were present. Throughout the Bible, God seems to make a compelling case that the heart is what matters far more than the outside appearance or actions, though actions are often very closely linked to the heart. Therefore, I think that why they were doing it was more important to Jesus than just the fact that they were doing it.
Why did Jesus Drive the Money-Changers out of the Temple?
Posted : 2 Aug, 2011 11:23 AM
Number one he never did or said anything unless he seen his father do it or say it.
JN 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
JN 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Following driving them out if you will search it out, he spent the whole next day in the temple teaching.
Why did Jesus Drive the Money-Changers out of the Temple?
Posted : 2 Aug, 2011 02:09 PM
I think if you look at the words Jesus spoke to them this gives us much insight as to why the money changers got a wet rope beat-down:laugh:
Jesus says to them, "My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a Den of Thieves"... this lets us know that those who were selling in the temple were cheating the poople out of their money. Possibly selling animals that were not worth the price and most likely animals that were sick or lame animals for sin sacrifices.
Also, keep in mind that the poor Jews of this time could not afford to make sacrifices offerings with goats, bulls or lambs, so they were required to bring lesser animals or doves and those animals they could afford to purchase for sacrifice offerings. So the money changers were making a profit off the poor people because they knew the people had to have animals to make sacfirce sin offerings, so they raised the prices, and many could not pay the price the money changers asked.
What it amounted to was that the money changers were cheating and stealing and lying, over charging the people for the animals in the House of God... just my 2/3 worth:laugh:
Why did Jesus Drive the Money-Changers out of the Temple?
Posted : 2 Aug, 2011 06:01 PM
ET, you are correct. You have to remember that this was the time of Passover, and Jews were coming from all over the country, and some cases even from outside the country. For those coming from far away, it would have been impractical to bring an animal, so they would sell the animal near their home, and then try and purchase one at the temple. Since there was a high demand, and nowhere else to go, they sold the animals at highly inflated prices, taking advantage of the people. Also, the temple tax had to be paid in Jewish coins, and so those from outside the country had to have their foreign money exchanged, and of course the money changers would charge an outrageous exchange fee.
It wasn�t necessarily that they were selling things at the temple, since they were necessary for the temple services, it was that they were charging exorbitant prices for their services instead of fair market value.
Why did Jesus Drive the Money-Changers out of the Temple?
Posted : 3 Aug, 2011 07:36 AM
The moneychangers in the time of Messiah,are these not the Modern Bankers of our time!
How about our time,What about the so-called worship bands.
Are these not the equivalent to the moneychangers.
Malachi 1:6 A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My fear? says Jehovah of Hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, In what have we despised Your name?
Mal 1:7 You are offering defiled food on My altar, and you say, In what have we defiled You? It is in your saying, The table of Jehovah, it is to be despised.
Malachi 1:8 And if you offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if you offer the lame and the sick, is it not evil? Bring it now to your governor. Will he accept you or lift up your face? says Jehovah of Hosts.
Let us see how a worship band is the equivalent to moneychanging.
The following Scripture is to be the Normal means of Assembling together to Worthship Yeshua.
1Cor 14:26 Then what is it, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, he has a teaching, he has a language, he has a revelation, he has an interpretation. Let all things be for building up.
1Cor 14:27 If one speaks in a language, let it be by two or three at the most, and in turn, also let one interpret.
1Cor 14:28 And if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.
1Cor 14:29 And if there are two or three prophets, let them speak, and let the others discern.
1Cor 14:30 But if a revelation is revealed to another sitting by, let the first be silent.
1Cor 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be encouraged.
1Cor 14:32 And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
1Cor 14:33 For God is not of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.
Yet a band,or a few SELECT people have been chosen by someone (usually a so-called pastor,senior pastor)to be taking the place and authority of the individual believers,who are to be worthsipping Yeshua.
A person,or a few people filled and led of the Spirit of GOD Biblically assemble with other professing believers in Yehsua.
These few people actually understand their Biblical position and authority in Yeshua,as Kings and Priests of the Most High GOD.
1Pe 2:9 But you are "an elect race," "a royal priesthood," "a holy nation," "a people for possession," so that "you may openly speak of the virtues" of the One who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; LXX-Ex. 23:22; MT-Ex. 19:5, 6
1Pe 2:10 you who then were "not a people, but now are the people" of God; "the one not pitied then but now pitied." Hos. 1:6, 9 2:1, 23
As these few Believers walk through the door where others have assembled to meet and worthship Yeshua.
The meeting begins.
A man stands before everyone and says 'Let us worship the Lord'
Then the 'WORSHIP BAND' begins playing some songs,the women begin shaking their bodies.
The men sway from side to side.
This goes on for almost 30-45 minutes,
The whole time those that have ASSEMBLED BIBLICALLY,await the opportunity to share with the assembly, that which the Holy Spirit has given to them of the Scripture to Worthsip Yeshua with.
As the meeting continues,There is no time for the Biblically minded and assembled believers to Worthship Yeshua publicly at the meeting.
When the meeeting is ended,the Biblically minded believers ask the so-called pastor;
WHen does the assembled body have opportunity to share from the Word of GOD that which the Holy Spirit has given to the believers.
The so- called pastor says,'we do not do things as that here;we do church differently'.
The Biblically minded believers leave somewhat depressed and sad,that Yeshua has not been Worthshipped as He has stated in His Word.
This, i believe tells me that the so-called worship teams of today,are the equivalen to the money changers of Yeshuas time.
In Yeshuas power,authority,and his name we need to drive out these modern day money changers and restore the Biblical authority of the 'PRIESTHOOD of all BELIEVERS'.
Leaving the Worthship of Yeshua to the Holy Spirit within each and every believer assembled,just as stated with the Scriptures 1st Corinthians 14:26-33
Shalom
ps:
Rom 1:25 who changed the truth of God into the lie, and worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
I understand the above Scripture.
Yet,by incorporating a so-called worship band in exchange for 'THE PRIESTHOOD of BELIEVERS',
Have we not 'CHANGED'the truth of the Word of GOD for the lie (s) of men.
Is there no wonder why the body of Yeshua had no power to be LIVING WITNESSES of YESHUA.
Why did Jesus Drive the Money-Changers out of the Temple?
Posted : 3 Aug, 2011 08:03 AM
I guess it all depends on what Church a person Attends...we go to Church to Hear the Word...we go to Church to Fellowship with Other Believers in GOD/HolySpirit/Jesus...we go to Church to Worship GOD...we go to Church to Give Tithes & Offerings...We go to Church to be of Service to the Body of Christ..our Fellows & those that have Been Lost & Now are Found...we GET to Do these Simple & Pleasureable Events & Particiapation that is PLEASEING to GOD/HolySpirt/Jesus...:yay:...and Some People will Say & Do Anyting & Everything Against it...Because THEY SEE NO GOOD IN IT...Go Figer :rolleyes:...Since when is man Good Enough to Judge the Comings and Goings On in of ALL those Churches & Bodies of Chrst Jesus ???...He is NOT...But GOD is...xo
Why did Jesus Drive the Money-Changers out of the Temple?
Posted : 3 Aug, 2011 09:14 AM
Jude & Cobbler:applause: great points!
I think Passover, got kicked out the church worship band over 30 yrs ago and he hasn't forgiven the person mostly the pastor, ot the band leader whoever kicked him out yet:ROFL:...
Whenever a person continues to bring up complaints and accusations, murmurs and down-talk against the pastor or certain activity in the church, or speaks negatively about giving to or in the chuch, speaks agianst the choir, and tries to make a matter a sin or a non biblical matter... if you follow what that person has to say closely enough you will find the murmuring, complaining and resentment stems from something that happened to them when they USE TO go to church a bad experience that hapened 20 yrs. ago, and nine times out of ten he/she is the one who was in the wrong and got put into their place by the pastor because he/she was trying to run the church or activiity he/she was involved in, in the church... but he/she got sat down and they are still mad! So more than likely George got put out of the worship band and he hasn't forgiven the person who put him out... God says you are to forgvie George. Plus, the band isnt for your glory but for that of the Lord, so who are you to say how a person is to worship the Lord?
God's tells us to come before Him to worship and Praise Him with singing, dancing, clapping of hands and with insturments of all kinds. Let EVERYTHING that has breath Praise the Lord!:dancingp::yay:.... and if you don't wanna Praise and Worship the Lord with insturments, ... don't try to hinder me or anyone else!... that's a SIN! you're trying to be so righteous on one end and sinning in self-reighteousness on the other end... a FALSE BALANCE is a SIN in case you didn't know! BTW, George are you Christ of Christ? Out of spiritual ignorance, and bad understanding of the word in this area they don't believe in musical instruments in the church.
