In the passage we have just read we have two of the most remarkable events in our Lord's earthly life and ministry. They are remarkable in that they are displays of the wrath and judgment of almighty God. Judgment is God's strange work. Therefore our Lord's works primarily display the love, mercy, grace, and goodness of God toward sinners. But judgment is as truly the work of God as redemption. Christ came both to redeem and save his people and to establish judgment in the earth (Isa. 42:4) Usually, we see him displaying works and miracles of mercy. But here we see him displaying wrath and judgment. Both in driving the money changers out of the temple and in cursing the fruitless fig-tree, our Savior shows his willingness and his power to execute judgment.
Both of these acts of judgment are emblems of spiritual things. Both were eminently figurative and typical. "Beneath the surface of each lie lessons of solemn instruction." (J.C. Ryle). Yet, in the midst of wrath, our Lord remembers mercy! How like him that is! He drove out the money changers; but he healed the needy. He refused the services of the priests, but accepted the praises of children. He left the caviling scribes, but went to his friends in Bethany.
Proposition: He who is our God and Savior is both furious in wrath and glorious in goodness.
As we go through these verses together, I want you to see seven things her recorded by divine inspiration for our comfort, learning, and edification.
I. The Cleansing of The Temple (vv. 12-13). We saw our Lord do a similar thing in the beginning of his ministry (John 2:14-15).During those days The Temple of God, the priesthood, and all the ordinances of divine worship had degenerated into nothing but a sham, a show, a pretense – Religion was nothing but an outward service. Religious leaders were money-grubbing, self-serving professionals who made a business out of doing what men called "The work of the ministry," "The work of God."
When our Lord came into the temple, he found that house built in God's name, the place where God's glory was revealed, the place of sacrifice, the place where the law of God was read, expounded, and displayed, was disgracefully proponed. Everything was out of order. Our Lord saw it all with utter indignation. In fury, he drove out the religious merchandisers, anxious to make a profit on God!
A. Here is a display of his holy sovereignty and power in judgment – No one resisted him!When the Son of God comes to judge the wicked name will have the power to resist him – (Mal. 3:2).
B. There is a day coming when the Son of God will purge and cleanse his church and temple thoroughly.
In wrath, he remembers mercy! Do not imagine that our Savior is not merciful because he is just and true. Not at all – He is full of compassion to needy souls. He simply has no tolerance for religious con-men and husketers.
NOTE: The place of mercy is still the church and temple of God. We too once came here as blind, lame, helpless souls. Christ healed us in the house of worship, where his word is preached. If you are interested in men's souls get them to the place where Christ heals men's souls!
A. Our Lord Jesus received worship from the children in the house of God. An open claim that He is God!
B. The scribes, Pharisees, and priests were infuriated!Nothing that glorifies the Lord Jesus escapes the eyes of religious legalists and ritualists. Wherever Christ is honored as Savior alone, religionists are soon enraged! Ecclesiastical pretenders are enraged by the simple preaching of Christ crucified, which is the constant exaltation of Christ in his house.
IV. The Confusion of the Religionists (v. 16).The chief priests and scribes were amazed as well as angered by the fact that our Lord accepted the simple sincere praise of children and showed such contempt for their ornate, educated, well prepared services. They were confused because they understood nothing concerning the things of God. They did not understand that worship is spiritual, a matter of the heart.
The fig tree is an unusual fruit tree. It first bears fruit and then puts forth its leaves. So when the Savior came, he saw leaves on the tree, a sign that it had put forth fruit early – But there was none.
A. Here is a picture of our Lord's humanity – "He hungered!"
B. Here is a picture of God's coming judgment upon all who have a form of godliness but no substance of life, no fruit of grace.
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