In His Temple
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are riveted upon His face. They cannot withdraw their gaze. They
feel that this Man reads their inmost thoughts, and discovers their
hidden motives. Some attempt to conceal their faces, as if their evil
deeds were written upon their countenances, to be scanned by those
searching eyes.
The confusion is hushed. The sound of traffic and bargaining has
ceased. The silence becomes painful. A sense of awe overpowers the
assembly. It is as if they were arraigned before the tribunal of God
to answer for their deeds. Looking upon Christ, they behold divinity
flash through the garb of humanity. The Majesty of heaven stands as
the Judge will stand at the last day,—not now encircled with the glory
that will then attend Him, but with the same power to read the soul.
His eye sweeps over the multitude, taking in every individual. His
form seems to rise above them in commanding dignity, and a divine
light illuminates His countenance. He speaks, and His clear, ringing
voice—the same that upon Mount Sinai proclaimed the law that priests
and rulers are transgressing—is heard echoing through the arches of
the temple: “Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house an
house of merchandise.”
Slowly descending the steps, and raising the scourge of cords
gathered up on entering the enclosure, He bids the bargaining company
depart from the precincts of the temple. With a zeal and severity He
has never before manifested, He overthrows the tables of the money-
changers. The coin falls, ringing sharply upon the marble pavement.
None presume to question His authority. None dare stop to gather up
their ill-gotten gain. Jesus does not smite them with the whip of cords,
but in His hand that simple scourge seems terrible as a flaming sword.
Officers of the temple, speculating priests, brokers and cattle traders,
with their sheep and oxen, rush from the place, with the one thought
of escaping from the condemnation of His presence.
A panic sweeps over the multitude, who feel the overshadowing
of His divinity. Cries of terror escape from hundreds of blanched
lips. Even the disciples tremble. They are awestruck by the words
and manner of Jesus, so unlike His usual demeanor. They remember
that it is written of Him, “The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up.”
Psalm 69:9
. Soon the tumultuous throng with their merchandise are
far removed from the temple of the Lord. The courts are free from
unholy traffic, and a deep silence and solemnity settles upon the scene