Jesus Cleans the Temple

Jesus Cleans the Temple

John 2: 13-25

EXPLORE IT!

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” 

EXPLORE IT! (cont.)

His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?”

EXPLORE IT! (cont.)

But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

EXPLORE IT! (cont.)

While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.

Fill in the Blank

Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate which Jewish holiday?

Multiple Select

Which animals were being sold in the temple? Mark all that apply.

• Sheep

• Camels

• Doves

• Oxen

Multiple Choice

How long was the temple under construction for?

• 43 years

• 44 years

• 45 years

• 46 years

Open Ended

After reading and diving deeper into this week's Gospel, what do you think this week's theme is?

CONNECT IT!

• Jesus demonstrates to us a righteous anger - a reaction to an injustice or to something that is not right.

• As Catholics, we should never turn a blind eye to injustice, but instead, challenge it and stand up to such injustices! 

REFLECT IT!

• Righteous anger should be channeled in such a way to allow us to challenge an evil or injustice without causing violence or injury.

• What situations in your life or in the world make you want to respond with a righteous anger? And in what ways can you challenge injustices in your life without allowing your anger to get out of control?

LIVE IT!

• Cleanliness – to put in your body and mind only that which is healthy and holy.

• In this week’s Gospel, we see that Jesus cleaned out the Temple of all that was corrupt and unclean.

• Now it is time to look inside ourselves and see if there is anything in us that needs to be changed. What are some areas of your life where you need to do some 'spring cleaning'?

REMEMBER IT!

“Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” - John 2:16

PRAYER

God, help us to remember that we are Your temple and that Your Spirit lives in us. Help us to keep our lives clean and useful for service to You. In Jesus' name, amen.

✝️