THEN THEY BELIEVED

John 2v27: 'Then they believed the Scripture and the words which Jesus had spoken.'

You would think that these disciples would've believed the Word and Jesus Himself at this time because of some incredible miracle He would've just performed before these words, or through Him giving them a glimpse of His glory or love in a form of being fed in some way (i.e multiplying loaves and fishes), but it was far from such a thing which Jesus had just done:

John 2v14: 'In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. to those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"

His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."


The disciples believed in the Scripture, and the words Jesus had spoken, because of this act of JUDGMENT (not an act of love, not an act of grace or mercy, not an act of glory or patience- although all these things are always present in whatever He does, as He does not divide His character). The disciples saw who was in charge, they saw who Had authority to decide what His house was and what it did; what its purpose would be, and all its focus and activity (Luke 19v46), through an act of wise judgment. Jesus came to HIS house (we'd do well to linger on that point), and drove out ALL of those that had made it into a house of MERCHANDISE, and the merchandise itself. The time of BUYING and SELLING the things of God (John 2v14+16), in the house of God, had officially come to and end, in a spectacular, sudden and final fashion, through a direct and obvious act of the Lord. The thieves that had been making a profit out of the people of God (and thus robbing God) were no longer welcome (the world can do what it wants, but not the Church of God!) The Lord said- "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be a house of prayer'; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" (Luke 19v46). Christians often reveal a zeal for many things (and praise God for it!), but the ONLY thing the Word ever said Jesus was zealous for was to do with an ACT OF JUDGMENT, and look what good came from it: John 2v27: 'Then they believed the Scripture and the words which Jesus had spoken.'

The Lord didn't destroy men here, His act of judgment to CLEAN OUT His house which had become a place of merchandise, of buying and selling and of thieves, was against the acts of these men, and the merchandise itself. And yes, because these men identified themselves with such things and were themselves buyers and sellers, they were driven out too, but no doubt the opportunity for them to return would've been open to them if they RETURNED IN THE RIGHT WAY. Make no mistake about it, the Lord doesn't love what is going on in much of His Church at the moment when it comes to what kind of market His people have made of the Spirit of God and HIS gifts which He has FREELY GIVEN (Matt 10v8). In fact, He hates that such buying and selling is going on, when the sole foundation and purpose of HIS CHURCH He gave to be grace (always being given what we cannot give ourselves) and prayer. Why? Because He builds through His Spirit, builds freely, and builds not through men's machinations. Yes, the Spirit will give structure where necessary, for God is a God of order, not confusion, but this structure is according to everything being done decently and in order, and according to the working of His Spirit through the gifts He has given. And they must be free from any urge or inclination to set up man's Kingdom, or to buy and sell to create a machine coming from the imagination of men's hearts, or according to the pattern and desires of this world. If we think that Jesus doesn't care about this, we are dead wrong. This was and still is one of the most important priorities He has for His people, and for the place where His people declare His name. Then shall men believe the Scripture, and the Word which He has spoken, for He is the one that is the light of the world. Men will believe the Word when we are a temple of the Holy Spirt, not a temple in which we build high places of our own design, and after the fashion of our own fleshly hearts. For why would men believe in something in the Church of God, that they can have freely in the world by following their own hearts? If the Church tries to compete with the world according to its own terms, it will lose every time.

Make no mistake about it, the Lord will not stand forever idly by while men make a mockery out of the house of God by its being made into a den of thieves, and merchandise out of the people He has bought with His own blood. If we doubt this, all we need remember are the words that Jesus spoke above; John 2v16: "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" He is the Great Shepherd and the master of His House, and He still reserves the right to overturn the tables, and to violently clear out all those things that turn His House into a place of merchandise, instead of a house of prayer. And He will not allow a mixture forever! There is a space for mercy, and a time for grace, but whether now, or in a future day, all those things that offend will be put through the fire of His judgment. Only those things built by the Holy Spirit will be left standing. A sobering and yet incredibly joyous thought. For when His House is as it should be, it is a glorious thing to be a part of, for then love, mercy, goodness, glory, patience and all similar wonderful things have the place they deserve to have and room to operate free from fleshly interference. And all those places that put such things at the centre of their hearts, will benefit by them the fruit that comes with these amazing things. A glorious thought!

God bless!