Saturday 6 January John 2.13-25 Qn.1

Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” (16): Every year Jews above 12 years old were to required to come to Jerusalem for Easter celebration (Luke 2.41-42). To give offerings and sacrifice during the time of atonement was God’s commandment. (Deter.16.2; Exod. 30.11-14). The Jews could come to the festival to commemorate God’s mercy by which they were brought out of Egypt to Canaan. Due to the fact that many people came from different countries, it was not easy to come with their animals that were to be used for sacrifices as Moses laws were set (Leviticus 1.2). That is where the exchange of money from their countries of origin started, for them to be able to buy sacrificial animals. What Jesus disagreed with was the fact that what was meant to help those from afar turned into a market and brought robbery and chaos in the house of God. We have to always remember that our churches are to glorify God. Consider: Paul said that even our body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit (1Kor.6.19), that should glorify God too. Song 73 (Praises)