Lent | John 2:13-22
During the Lenten Season, we are exploring different spiritual practices that will help us engage with scripture in the hopes that the scriptures that we have read over and over again may reveal to us something new. Over the last few weeks, we have introduced Lectio Devina and Contemplative Scripture Reading. This week, we turn to a time of prayer and reflection while focusing on John 2:13-22.
We encourage you to read through the passage slowly, twice. While using the name for God you feel most comfortable with (ex. Divine Love, Creator, Gentle Parent, etc.) and one supplication or request (ex. Give us peace, comfort our hearts, etc.), pray a prayer that is inspired by the scripture passage. You are invited to write that prayer down in your journal, on your phone, or on a post-it note, and pray that prayer all week.
Today we will be focusing on John 2:13-22:
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.** In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
**Two notes:
The gospel of John was written at a time when the early church was reckoning with its Jewish heritage and identities. When John uses terms like “the Jews” he is typically referring to Jewish leaders or groups rather than Jewish people as a whole, because Jesus and John himself were also Jewish. It is important to note that while the gospel of John in context is not inherently antisemitic, it has been used to justify and perpetuate antisemitism in atrocious ways throughout history. Modern Christians must be careful about the lessons and theology we draw from these texts.
A key part of Passover at this time included a pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem as an act of unified identity and to honor the Exodus of the Jews from slavery. This journey held immense cultural and spiritual significance and informed Jesus’ reaction to the vendors in the temple.
Here are some additional questions for you to ponder and journal about after you finish this particular spiritual practice, either now or throughout this week:
What drives Jesus to react with such intensity to the people in the temple?
This passage has great relevance to the economic state of the Church, especially the American Church today. What can you as an individual, in your Community Group(s), and the Church at large understand about God’s intent for our collective lives from this passage? What does Jesus value? What does Jesus reject?
Jesus’ actions in the temple seem quite different from his usual peaceful approach. How do you reconcile this event with the broader themes of peace and love in his teachings?
How does this story challenge or reinforce your personal understanding of righteous anger or indignation?
Join our Lenten Reflections Group!
Would you like to engage with some of these spiritual practices in community?
Join our Lenten Reflections Drop-In Group! This group will be led by QCF Community Members Emerson Quadri (they/them) & Jessica Quadri (she/her) Wednesdays at 8PM ET. Join us for a time of reflection and discussion as we head into the Easter season.
Visit the link below to learn more!
