The Daily Office for January 14, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 20
Genesis 6:9-22
Hebrews 4:1-13
John 2:13-22
Reading (John 2:13-22)
Reflection
The Law required every male Jew twelve years old and above to attend the passover. Jesus went up to Jerusalem, the political and religious capital of Israel, and because of its geographical elevation, the Jews always talked about going up to Jerusalem regardless of the direction they were traveling from.
Christ found in the court of the Gentiles a terrible scene. The Sanhedrin was permitting the selling of sacrificial animals at exorbitant prices and permitting the changing of foreign currency into Jewish money, which was required for the temple tax. Christ makes a whip and drives out both the animals and the wicked merchants. He overturns the tables and scatters the coins across the floor. The disciples recall that this is the fulfillment of prophecy Psalm 69:9.
The Jewish leaders, who were shocked by this action, demand a sign to substantiate His authority and conduct. However, this was a ridiculous request since the cleansing in itself was a sign Malachi 3:1–3. Christ answers with a deep spiritual truth: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” He was referring to the destruction of His body and to His resurrection from the dead. The physical Temple was a type of Christ’s body, and when the body of Christ was destroyed, the purpose and existence of the Jewish Temple were also destroyed. Consequently, the destruction of His body also meant the destruction of the Temple.
The leaders take Christ literally, though, and ignored the spiritual and true meaning of His statement. Even the disciples did not fully understand until he was risen from the dead. Today the risen Christ stands as an indestructible temple whose glory will shine throughout eternity.
Collect of the Day
Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.