(George O. Wood) “And they came to Jerusalem. Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who sold and bought in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry any vessel through the temple” (Mark 11:15-16).
Following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem the previous day, Jesus entered the temple area and simply “looked around at everything” (v. 11). Now, we know the reason why. Had He taken action then to purge the temple of the money changers, the crowd with Him would have pitched in and a riot would have ensued. Jesus didn’t want mob action to accomplish His purposes.
We know from John’s gospel that Jesus first cleansed the temple of the merchandisers at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:13–22). Later, His disciples remembered His statement at the time: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” Now, three years later in this second cleansing of the temple, Jesus’ zeal remained undiminished. How true it is that over time many go back to their old ways. Revivals come and then they ebb. Persons once “on fire” for the Lord seem passionless years later. CONTINUE
