Lamb of God: A Novel

Chapter 11

The Temple in Jerusalem

As Jesus enters Jerusalem through Sheep Gate, the Temple is right in front of him. The Antonia Fortress on his right. This castle was built by Herod the Great years ago, naming it after Marc Antony. Here is where Pilate and his people would stay.

But Jesus isn't interested in visiting the governor, who will soon be taking charge of Jerusalem. No, he still wants to see the Temple, his Father's House.

Soon, Jesus and his disciples find themselves at the Court of the Gentiles. But passing along the so-called "Solomon's Porch", Jesus and his disciples see a lot of merchants selling animals for sacrifices.

It could be said that because many couldn't bring with them the animals for sacrifice from far away, this is why they are here sold on-site. Besides, the Jewish people were told by their religious leaders and priests that if they don't offer sacrifice, then God's blessing wouldn't be on their children or lands.

But here the prices for oxen, doves, and sheep are unfair. These merchants profit from this. So do the religious leaders and members of the Sanhedrin.

But that's not all. To buy the animals, the buyers must not use their regular coins from Rome or Greece, as they have patterned in them what they call idolatrous images. The Roman denarius contains an image of the head of Caesar, and on its other side is the image of a Roman goddess; the Jews can't fathom the thought of using such "impure" coins to pay for animals in the service of God. They prefer Tyrian shekels, which are pure silver and have no idolatrous pictures.

For this reason, there are desks here at the Temple courts also. Moneychangers are seated here, converting pagan coinage for "temple" currency. Of course, these money changers are corrupt, for they swindle the people with unnecessary interest rates. Four Roman denarii are enough for one "temple" coin, yet the scammers rate more. Thus they enrich themselves and the leaders of the Temple.

It turns out to be a double-scam... and both at the Temple courts, and Jesus isn't content at all of this behavior from the chief rulers. The Temple is a sacred area, and it isn't supposed to be treated this way. This loudness also disrupts the Gentiles—these non-Jews—who are trying to worship and praise God. What kind of example are the Jews setting before them?

What doesn't help is that the entrance of Beautiful Gate, which is in the Court of the Israelites, faces Solomon's Porch.

Jesus knows something must be done about this. How dare they scam and exchange dishonestly in the presence of God's Temple? He couldn't let this go on.

What he also notes is that the poor, blind, lame, deaf, and suffering also come, to receive no mercy from the priests. Jesus is enraged. God is being dishonored!

Jesus looks indignant, yet he acts. He takes some pelt cords lying around. He starts tying them together.

"Rabbi, what are you doing?" asks John.

"Remember the passage in Malachi," says Jesus, "when after the messenger comes to prepare the way for the Lord, the Lord will come to his Temple and purify there?"

Before John could answer, Jesus had already formed the flexes into the form of a whip. He says, "Now is the time."

Without another word, Jesus goes to where some sheep are being sold. He swings his whip in the air, cracking it. He thus drives out the sheep. The trader tries to object, but nothing's stopping Jesus, who says, "Leave the Temple!"

Jesus keeps on driving out both sheep and oxen. Now the merchants are running. Jesus has power in his voice and appearance that even the Levite officers of the Temple are fleeing before him. The priests standing around flee into the Temple.