The Whip of Cords

Jesus' use of a "whip of cords" to clear out the Temple courtyard brings an important spiritual message for all of us, one that is based on his love and determination for our welfare.

The author of John's Gospel describes the incident of Jesus clearing the Temple as being fueled both by love ("Zeal for your house consumes me," in John 2:17) and by determination ("He drove out the animals," and "overturned the money changers' tables" in John 2:15). John's Gospel placed this incident early in Jesus' ministry to stress some of the important changes that he would bring: no more corruption or cheating, no more sacrificing of animals, and no more irreverence in the Temple.

For me, Jesus' action brings a powerful symbolic message. We can begin to understand this message when we consider the new philosophy that Jesus brings. St. Paul described it well in his letters to the church at Corinth when he wrote, "Do you not know that you are God's temple, and that God's spirit dwells in you?" (I Corinthians 3:16) And later, "What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, 'I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall b my people.'" (2 Corinthians 6:16)

Jesus also comments on this in John 14:17, "This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."

Jesus considers each of us to be a temple of God, a place where he will reside, a place that he loves. And like the Temple in Jerusalem, Jesus will enter into our lives, into our temple if we let him, and will use his "whip of cords" to drive out all that is not of God. (Notice that he did not use the whip of cords on the Temple itself - only on the things that shouldn't have been there.)

And what does this whip of cords represent? God uses all of his creation to work together, and will often work through other people to accomplish his mission. Jesus made a whip of cords appropriate to the situation at hand. He will do the same for us. Each cord of the whip represents a member of a team of people that support our spiritual journey - people we need around us to help us grow and become who God made us to be. This group of people (our "cords") is unique to our situation. The team may consist of physicians, counselors, pastors, friends, therapists, spiritual directors, teachers, parents, nutritionists, coaches - anyone who may contribute to our well-being - anyone who can help us drive out anything that is not of God in a loving, but determined, way.

The process takes time, and requires honesty and commitment. Find these people if you don't have them. Together, as a team, your temple will gradually be renewed and you will gradually come to know, love and serve God in your own unique way.