A short time after this, we are taken via the Scriptures to the Temple, which at that time, far from being “a house of prayer,” was constantly astir with the hubbub of commerce. What had been a noble idea had gradually declined into a vicious racket. Travelers from afar who brought foreign money and no sacrificial offering were openly abused as men sold sacrificial doves at exorbitant prices. Whilst foreign money is not accepted in the off entry the unscrupulous money changers defrauded the worshippers by inflating the value of the Jewish coin.
No doubt, this was not an unfamiliar sight to Jesus, who had probably witnessed similar scenes since childhood, but certainly it must have nauseated him every time he visited the Temple.
Now, full of zeal, being newly emerged from the waters of baptism and having triumphed over the temptations in the wilderness, Christ could not allow this “den of thieves” to prosper. Seizing a whip in his hand he drove the iniquitous mob from the Temple, overturning their tables as he did so.
With this act commenced Christ’s purge of the religious farces of scribes and pharisees.
As can readily be realised, such a startling outburst would not go unnoticed. One man certainly was moved to act, by the sight or news of Christ’s power. This man was Nicodemus, whose steam is recorded by John in Chap. 3 of his Gospel, where we read of the necessity for baptism, if we may hope to enter the Kingdom of God.
The remaining eight months in this the “Year of Obscurity” is somewhat in doubt, but this is sure, that much time was spent by Christ in preparing his disciples for their life-long work.
The preaching, teaching and calling to repentance of sinners was Christ’s main activity, whilst his disciples performed the actual baptismal rites.
In his years of ministry, it is certain that the Messiah was not altogether the “gentle Jew meek and mild” of whom many of us were told as children.
The crowds of Galilee would not hearken to such a one, rather did they hear a man who used strong vibrant language—a man who told of gnats being strained out whilst camels are swallowed–eyes being plucked out because they caused offence—and millstones hanging around men’s necks.
Obscure, yes, but we cannot mistake the signs of a person who speaks as Christ spoke.
He was young—in the prime of his life—dynamic, completely sincere, this was the man the crowds heard and they knew Christ was unique, for in his “Year of Obscurity,” Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of Almighty God, called more sinners to repentance than did John the Baptist in all his time of “preparing the way of the Lord.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One