Gtpministries.org – Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As humans we must have a solid and strong foundation in living this life. Likewise, when we behave, we must have a foundation, which makes us not easily shake in the midst of the storms and tempests of this life. The attitude of our hearts and bodies will definitely adapt to the place where we are. That is a brief description of people who have a strong foundation in life.
The evangelist John tells how Jesus cleansed the Temple of God from the custom of buying and selling practiced by the Jews at that time. It is told before the Jewish Passover, Jesus went to Jerusalem and entered the Temple of God, and He found people who were abusing the presence and sanctity of the Temple of God.
Jesus was angry and raged. He expelled the traders of sacrificial animals and money changers. Jesus’ anger happened because He loved the Temple of God very much. The Temple of God which should be the place of God’s presence and residence in the midst of His people has been defiled by the actions of merchants and money changers who work together with the Temple of God officers. They have defiled the Temple of God with acts of extortion, injustice, corruption, and structured oppression.
The Temple of God, which should be a place where people meet God, seek God’s will, is instead made a fertile ground for doing unlaudable acts that are against God’s will. What is even worse is that all these actions are wrapped in a spiritual frame in order to manipulate the actual fact that some seek profit at the expense of others; that is very contrary to His option or choice. Jesus’ mission in this world is to preach the good news about the Kingdom of God in the middle of the world.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. The narrative above provides a perfect understanding for us in understanding the existence of the Temple of God. However, there are differences that appear in the location of the cleansing of the Temple in Jesus’ story. For John, this event functions as action; First, Jesus in public. This narrative is found here because John believed it to be a paradigm or example of the entire life and ministry of Jesus.
Second, of importance to John is the conversation that accompanies the action that expels the merchants from the Temple. The conversation that took place (cf. John 2:18-25), clearly centered on the question, “who is Jesus, in His own eyes, that He considers Himself to have to improve the series of activities usually carried out by the officials of the Temple of God?” This was the right position and what John wanted so that the existence of Jesus would be better understood by everyone, including the religious leaders at that time.
The religious leaders asked Jesus to give a “sign”, that He had the authority to act to expel them from the Temple. They did not understand the signs that Jesus gave. “He said that He could rebuild the Temple within three days after it was destroyed. In reality He was talking about Himself.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. The core of the issue here is the view that lived in the Jewish community at that time that saw the Temple of God as a symbol of God’s presence in the midst of His people. The temple of God is the dwelling place of God. This view and teaching is what made Jesus’ disciples realize and understand Jesus’ actions.
John records: “Love for Your house consumes Me.” And the remembrance of this made His disciples know Him, and after His resurrection they believed in Him.
The house of God that Jesus refers to refers to His body (Himself). The house of God is a sign of God’s real presence in the world, therefore the love for God’s house that burns in Jesus’ heart, is real love and acceptance for fellow human beings, especially those who are small, simple, weak and marginalized.
We are the Temple of God (1Cor.3:16-17). The event of the purification of the Temple of God is an invitation for us to maintain our purity by staying away from sin. The event is also an invitation to dare to voice the truth and justice in the midst of our society which is still filled with injustice.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus offered himself. In Him there is eternal salvation, which will not be destroyed by age or circumstances. In the past, the Israelites thought that by taking control of the Temple of God, they would be safe. So many people abuse Bait Allah for material, position, and position.
Jesus reminded us that the Temple of God is not a guarantee of salvation, He himself is the basis and ultimate guarantee of salvation. Question for all of us; Which Jesus do we base our lives on? Jesus is present in others. Jesus who greets us through the situations of the people we meet. If we are friendly towards others, we will also be friendly towards God. If we suspect someone, we also suspect God.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. In this season of Lent; let us improve the basis of our lives by being sensitive and caring about social concerns. Being sensitive or caring is not only touched by God’s suffering, but also motivated to do something for others.
We live in society, we associate with society, we are touched by society’s concerns. Are our hearts moved to help? Are we moved to pay attention to them? This is what the Church reminds us of today. Do we want to base our lives on Jesus who is present in our neighbors?
Today there are many attitudes that are not right in the synagogue and require repentance. Are we still waiting for Jesus to overturn our attitudes and behavior? Let us improve our attitude in life, especially when we are in church, which is a place to meet God and others, a place to cultivate ourselves closer to Him.
Jesus, whom we use as a role model, does not stay confined in the church but is present in others. Let us ask for a sensitive heart so that we are able to listen and answer Jesus’ greeting with the blessing of God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
