We read from John chaper 2 verse 12-25

13 And the Jews’ pass over was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign she west thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the pass over, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Hello everyone, I am kiki. Chinese name of our second phase of the program is “读经大讲堂”. The English name is “Bible study”.
We will adopt a relaxed also enjoyable learning mode to take you into a new learning world. Each time I will make a personal summary and analysis from the perspective of a learner, and then Sister Ingrid will help me conduct in-depth learning and problem discussions with everybody.
I hope that such an interesting and interactive process can bring new knowledge experience to you all. The following is my interview with my sister on related issues. Today is the fourth lecture on the Gospel of John. Everyone is welcome to leave a message in the comment area for discussion!

My summary of John 2,12-25th study:

From this passage in the Bible, it tells the story of Jesus going to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover festival. When he arrived at the temple, he saw people selling animals for sacrifices and exchanging money.
This made him upset, so he made a whip out of ropes and drove the sellers and animals out of the temple.
Jesus also overturned the tables where the money changers were working. I think he was quite unsatisfied with people at that time.
After doing all this, the Jewish leaders asked Jesus for a sign to prove his authority to do these things.
Jesus replied by saying that if the temple was destroyed, he would raise it again in three days.
The people didn’t understand at first because they thought he was talking about the physical building.
But Jesus was actually referring to his own body, meaning that he would die and come back to life after three days.
Later in this story, many people believed in Jesus because of the miracles he performed.
But Jesus knew what was in people’s hearts and didn’t fully trust them. He didn’t need anyone to tell him about people because he understood them well.
Therefore, the story shows Jesus being upset about the misuse of the temple, demonstrating his authority,
and hinting at his upcoming death and resurrection.
What I want to know is why Jesus was so angry?
Is it because he understands the nature of human being?
Now I invite my sister to do a summary analysis and answer my questions.

Sister’s comment from my studying summary:

Jesus was upset because he knew the purpose of the temple. The temple should be a house of worshiping and praising God.

But in the time of Jesus, there were a lot of people doing business in a place which is dedicated to connect people with God in worshiping and praise.

Jesus called the temple his fathers house, and that is the central point, why he was so upset: Imagine, that foreign people come and establish a market in your living room. I think you would be angry with these people, too. So Jesus was defending the house of his father.

And you were right, Jesus did not cofide in people, because he knows their heart. The bible tells: All have sinned, there is none who does right. So Jesus was often alone with his fathers in heaven because he was not with sin.

Question list part: base on John 4th items:

Okay. Base on above bible study content, now let me ask sister some related questions.

What is the significance of Jesus going up to Jerusalem during the Jews’ Passover, and how does this event relate to our own human need for spiritual renewal and connection with our faith?

In the time of Jesus, when there still was the temple, all Jewish men had to attend the jewish feasts in Jerusalem. They were obliged to do this.

Why did Jesus drive out the sellers and money changers from the temple, and what can we learn from this act about the importance of maintaining a pure and respectful environment for worship?

First of all, we should seperate money and worship. I want to blame nobody, but there have always been people who have earned a lot of money abusing the religious feelings of others.

But our faith in Jesus shall not be religion. We don t have to buy something or giving something for to be saved.

Our faith shall be based on a near relationship with Jesus and we shall be like the wise virgins in a story of the bible who have enough oil in their lamps.

When we have a relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit in us, we don t have the need to buy something religious from others. We can contribute to those who need it, but not to the businessmen in Gods temple.

Apply to Jesus’ actions in the temple, and how can we find inspiration in his unwavering commitment to his faith?

Our body is temple of the holy Spirit and we shall always be attend to hold this body clean. Often we come with ungodly habbits like smoking for example to God. So we should allow Jesus, to clean the temple with the purpose that the Holy Spirit does not become sad and we better hear his voice talking to us.

Sister,what did Jesus mean when he said,

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” and how can we apply this teaching to our own lives and struggles?

Jesus died for us on Calvary. He did it all for us and he died on our place. As sinners we deserved to be there, but he did it and we go free.

So we should allow Jesus, to break our stony hearts and give us weak hearts, who can receive his love and have compasion with the people arround us.

How did the disciples’ understanding of Jesus’ words evolve and what can we learn from their process of coming to believe in the scripture and Jesus’ teachings?

The disiples did not understand at once, what Jesus did when he told that he will build the temple in three days. But when he arose from death, the understood what he wanted to say.

In what ways can the miracles that Jesus performed during the Passover feast inspire us to have faith in his divine power and guidance in our own lives? Did sister ever feel effect by this miracle thing?

I mentioned smoking in some questions before. I smoked too and I was not able to stop by own will.

I stopped 3 month, than I fell back. Than I allowed the Holy Spirit to work with me and it was very easy.

I knew, it was the last package I smoke, so I smoked until the last cigarette and than I was free from smoking, because Jesus and the Holy Spirit in me cleaned me.

Why did Jesus not fully commit himself to those who believed in him during the Passover feast, and what can we learn from his ability to discern the true intentions of others?

Jesus knew, that they will shout “crucify him” at the same place three years later, so he kept distance to them.

The last question for sister.How can we reflect on our own limitations and shortcomings as humans, and strive to emulate Jesus’ wisdom, compassion, also understanding of human nature? And let our lives be better day by day.

The point is not, to make our lives better. In the next program we will learn, that we are not able to do this, because the old and sinny nature will never stop.

The only way we can change is to see ourselves crucified with Jesus and let him work in our life.

And when we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Redeemer, we get the Holy Spirit as a guide and consolor who will teach us all that Jesus said.

Our flesh is still alive and is fighting against the new life in Christ, so we are responsable, to clean our temple, and hold our body and environment clean from all works of the enemy who wants to spoil us with religious business and bad habbits.