1. MATTHEW 21:12-17 (JESUS AT THE TEMPLE).
This is an encounter with Jesus, hence my title;
CLEANSING THE TEMPLE.
What do we mean by cleansing?
Who is Jesus?
What can we learn from Jesus’ action?
Why was Jesus able to act this way?
Which temple are we talking about today?
When did change happened?

2. Jesus demonstrated His authority.
Cleansing is getting rid of the unpleasant or things that defile.
Jesus is the saviour/rescuer and true son of God through whom all things are made.
Lesson:
Jesus demonstrated His authority.
Jesus exerted power the father gave Him over all creation(including the traders)-Jn.5:27/Mk.1:27.
Why was He able to do so?
Because He is righteous-bold as lion (Prov.28:1).
Only a sinless person can confront evil.
He wrapped Himself in zeal for His father’s property(Is.59:17).
He knew God’s purpose for the temple;-Prayer(vrs 13).(praises, thanksgiving , worship…..).

3. Which temple are we talking about today? When did change happened?
NB: to understand spiritual growth or the scriptures 3distinct pictures/images or metaphor are used:
i) a building (ii) human body (iii) a tree.
Examples
Jesus refers to His body as temple(Jn.2:19)
1 Cor.6:19- refers to our body as temple
1 Cor. 3:16-you are God’s temple.
The temple is all who have faith in Jesus!
Rom.6:16 We are slave to whosoever we yield our body to.
Because we are baptised into his death…(Rom.6:3-4)
When did change happened?
Encounter with Jesus changes us(2Cor.5:17).

4. Now that we are His, only His will should be done in us(Gal.2:20)
Living for Him.
Doing things that pleases Him
NB: It was after the cleansing that the blind and lame got healed( they might have been waiting). In our Churches today people are waiting…
If we allow Jesus to purge and purifies us then we can be instruments of healing and miracles.
*Peter’s shadow healed the sick
Handkerchiefs from Paul’s body healed the sick.
The problem is NOT Christ but us…