He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,
as well as the money-changers seated there.
When we go to the house of God to worship do we not bring with us our buying and selling and money changing? Our worldly priorities distract us from the purpose of the place as much as they do the people in Jesus's own day. They are less externally visible. But they are present and problematic nonetheless.
Jesus sometimes needs to make a whip of cords to drive out distractions. Distractions, after all, turn out to be less pleasant than the heavenly joys of worship. They in fact, by comparison, turn out to be painful. They are afflictions from which we can run once we recognize them. Jesus is willing to do everything that is necessary to build a new and perfect temple. He will even destroy the old one so that the new one can be built with himself as the foundation. He allows us to be crucified with him so that we might live as new temples of his presence.
Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.
Once our old sinful nature is put to death in baptism we are established on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there,
namely, Jesus Christ.
Rather than being temples of money and pleasure we are able to offer true worship to God.
Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
The new temple has infinitely much to offer the world. Only within the courts of the house of God can the water of life be found.
Wherever the river flows,
every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live,
and there shall be abundant fish,
for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.
We are built on the foundation of Christ. If any poor workmanship has entered into our temple building through our own fault let us turn back to him. If we ask, he will chase away all that tries to usurp his rightful place. He will rebuild the temple in our hearts.
God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore, we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.
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