Cleansing the Temple
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the irresistible attraction of his presence. They were unterrified by
his awful dignity, their hearts were drawn toward him with love and
hope. These people were not the great and powerful, who expected
to impress him with a sense of their grandeur; they were the poor, the
sick, and the afflicted.
After the buyers and sellers, and the promiscuous crowd with their
merchandise, were driven out, Jesus healed the stricken ones who
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flocked unto him. The sick were relieved, the blind received their
sight, the dumb praised God with loosened tongues, the lame leaped
for joy, and demons were cast out from those they had long tormented.
Mothers, pale with anxiety and watching, brought their dying infants
to receive his blessing. He folded them tenderly to his bosom, and
returned them to their mothers’ arms well and strong.
This was a scene worthy of the temple of the Lord. He who, a short
time before, had stood upon the steps like an avenging angel, had now
become a messenger of mercy, soothing the sorrows of the oppressed,
encouraging the despairing, relieving the suffering. Hundreds returned
to their homes from the passover sound in body and enlightened in
mind, who had come there feeble and desponding.
During this time the people were slowly drifting back. They had
partially recovered from the panic that had seized them, but their faces
expressed an irresolution and timidity that could not be concealed.
They looked with amazement upon the works of Jesus, beholding
more wonderful cures than had ever been accomplished before. The
Jews knew that the act of Jesus in purging the temple of its sacrile-
gious speculators, was not the exhibition of human power. The divine
authority that inspired Jesus, and lifted him above humanity, was felt
and realized by them, and should have been sufficient to bring them
as worshipers at his feet. But they were determined to disbelieve him.
They feared that this humble Galilean would take from them their
power over the people, by his greater works and super-human author-
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ity. Their haughty spirits had looked for a king who would come with
great pomp and heraldry, subduing the nations of the earth, and raising
them to a much loftier station than they now occupied. This Man, who
came teaching humility and love, aroused their hatred and scorn.
When he arose in the majesty of his sacred mission, they were
stricken with sudden fear and condemnation. But, after the spell was
broken, in the hardness of their hearts, they wondered why they had