Jesus "Sets Justice in the Earth"

The religious leaders has ruled that only one specific type of coin could be used to pay the temple tax.  Visitors had to exchange their money to acquire such coins.  So money changers set up their tables right inside the temple, charging a fee for each transaction.  The business  of selling animals was also very profitable.  Visitors who wanted to offer up sacrifices could buy from any merchant in the city, but the temple officials might well reject  their offerings as unfit.  However, offerings bought right there in the temple area were sure to be accepted.  With the people thus at their mercy, the merchants at times charged exorbitant prices.  This was worse than crass commercialism. It amounted to robbery! 

Jesus could not tolerate such injustice.  This was his own Father's house!  He made  a whip of ropes and drove the herds of cattle and sheep from the temple.  Then he strode over to the money changes and overturned their tables. Imagine all those coins skittering across the marble floor!  He sternly ordered the men selling doves:  "Take these things away from here!"  (John 2:15, 16)  No one, it seems, dared to oppose this courageous man. 

Next time: Jesus "Sets Justice in the Earth" - "Like Father, Like Son" 

From the book: Draw Close to Jehovah