This morning we heard the Ten Commandments as our lesson from the Hebrew Scriptures, and then the story of the “cleansing of the Temple” from John as our Gospel reading.
The story of the “cleansing of the Temple” is found in all four gospels. However, in Matthew, Mark, and Luke the event happens at the end of the story … after Jesus enters Jerusalem just before his crucifixion. In Matthew, Mark and Luke the “cleansing of the Temple” becomes a primary reason for Jesus to be arrested which leads to his crucifixion. However, in John’s gospel the story of the cleansing of the Temple happens at the very beginning of his ministry. In John’s gospel it becomes a prediction of his death and resurrection at the opening of the larger story as if it is a lens through which to view the life of Jesus.