Jesus had been preaching and performing miracles in Galilee before traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover. Going into the temple, Jesus found that people had moved their businesses into the temple. They were selling oxen, sheep, and doves. And the moneychangers were selling their services of changing money.

John recorded Jesus' reaction saying: "When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, 'Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!.' Then His disciples remembered that it was written, 'Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up'" (Jn. 2:15-17).

Why was it wrong for people to bring their businesses into the temple? Weren't they providing a service for the people to worship God? Why weren't the people satisfied with keeping their businesses outside the temple?

We are reminded of a basic principle. God instructs us concerning the things we are to do. And, He does not address all of the possible "do nots." For example, God had not commanded them to change money or sell animals for sacrifice in the temple; therefore, they were not authorized to engage in those activities inside the temple. Although it was lawful for them to engage in business and provide these services outside the temple, it was not lawful to bring their businesses into the temple.

People speak to each other in the same way that God has spoken to us in His word. For example, a parent tells his child to go and clean his room. The parent does not go through a list of forbidden activities (e.g., go outside, eat a snack, watch TV, etc.). If the child played outside instead of cleaning his room, he disobeyed the command.

Many of us have had children offer an excuse for their disobedience like: "You didn't say that I wasn't to . . ." The parent's response is usually like: "I don't have to tell you everything that you are not to do when I've told you what to do!"

Employers and governments communicate in the same way. Employers set policies without listing all of the "do nots." And governments make laws without listing all of the "do nots."

Think about the Old Testament for a minute. There are numerous examples of people not obeying God by doing something about which God was silent. Why did God kill Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-3)? Because they offered profane fire before the Lord. The Lord had specified which fire to use, but they offered fire about which He had said nothing. Why did Uzzah die when He touched the ark (2 Sam. 6:1-6)? Wasn't he trying to save the ark from falling to the ground? Although he was trying to do something good, he died because they were transporting the ark on a cart rather than in the way commanded by God.

Jesus was zealous for God's house. Men had defiled the temple by transgressing God's command and bringing their businesses into the temple.

Today, the house of God is the church (1 Tim. 3:15). And today, there are people who have made their churches into houses of merchandise by entering into all kinds of businesses. Some churches transact business on their church property and some own businesses like restaurants and software companies.

If Jesus were to come down to earth today, what do you think He would do?