Finding God's Heart
John 2:13-25
John 2:13-25
13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
17 Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”
18 But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.”
19 “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 “What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” 21 But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.
23 Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. 25 No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.
In this passage, Jesus aggressively purged the Temple of people selling things and those in the business of converting money. In doing this, He demonstrated His passion to protect that which is set aside for God and God alone.
We also see His zeal (or righteous indignation) to shield His father’s house when greedy men tread upon that which is sacred.
Lastly, this shows His father-like heart to preserve the innocent atmosphere in the house of God.
Romans 12:9 — Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
1 Timothy 1:5 — The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 — Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
The more you love something, the more you desire to protect it. And the more you grow in Christ, the more you find His heart.
When the Holy Spirit resides in you, sin affects you differently. It grieves you because you begin to hate what God hates. Your values change to what God values. God’s desires become yours.
John 16:8-11 — 8 And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
This means we should have a strong passion to keep our minds, our hearts, and our churches free from the carnal business of man. Our focus should be higher—on God—not our own selfish agendas. His economy is free, and life with Him is eternal.
Philippians 4:8-9 — 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Hebrews 12:1-4 — 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
Which brings us to the pastor’s key: “The pursuit of finding God’s heart and values is far beyond any earthly riches. God desires to keep His house clean and free of carnal lust and greed. Let us take that seriously as Jesus did. For we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.”
If you woke up this morning, it’s not too late.
Grace & peace,
Michelle Kampmeier
**Note: This series of posts on the book of John come from notes and previous writings based on my church’s sermon series on this book. Check out the playlist for all of the sermon videos by clicking here.