This Sunday, we continue our series in the gospel of John looking at chapter 2 verses 12-25.  Here Jesus and His disciples go to Jerusalem from Cana after spending a few days in Capernaum.  They went (as multitudes did) for the Passover and feast of Unleavened bread.  This was a huge time for Jerusalem and surrounding areas as the population would swell 2 to 3 times more than usual.  So the atmosphere of excitement would be there with a typical holiday, Jewish religious celebration.  But the question is how far they went with all the celebration and the problem of them making it into a big money maker.  Because we see these temple leaders were allowing commerce to happen right in the temple court areas.  Jesus grew upset and angry as He sees the desecration of the temple through all these activities going on; where there should be prayer, praise, encouragement and quiet reflection happening.  So He “cleanses” the temple, and points out to us: look, see the fake, phony faith of so many so called “religious” people.  Is your faith true and genuine?  Are you a true follower of Christ?  Christ knows those who are truly His, and John in this text wants his readers to know for certain that they believe.

More sermon previews here.