The Doorpost: What did Jesus do?

In the temple He found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And He poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.

John 2:14-15

In recent years, the question WWJD—“What would Jesus do?”—has been popular. The passage above suggests a related question: WDJD—”What did Jesus do?”

Last month, we considered Jesus in Matthew 11:28-29 inviting those who are under heavy burdens to come to Him for help because He is gentle and lowly in heart. This month we consider that, while Jesus is gentle with those who come to Him for help, He is not gentle with everyone.

Jesus was gentle and accepting of those seeking God’s truth, but He actively opposed those working against it—sometimes forcefully. He drove the money changers out of God’s temple, not once but twice.

Jesus is meek—not weak or passive. He used only the force necessary to accomplish His Father’s purpose. He allowed Himself to be crucified, even though He could have called down angels to save Him.

The Apostles He chose and trained were courageous in the face of persecution and death. They did not shrink back from those who opposed God’s truth, no matter how powerful. As His followers, neither should we.