John 2:13-25 | What is a lesson for the original audience?

One of the major lessons given for the original audience relates to the reality that what Jesus does here is what He does in all of us. This is a physical, symbolic action that Jesus is taking to demonstrate His work. He cleanses His people, destroys the temple, and raises it again. Why? Because He is zealous for His Father's house. It is apparent that the religious elite failed to remember what was necessary for the presence of the Lord to be in the temple - perfection. The temple had to be built to exact standards. It had to be consecrated and made holy. The elite brought in that which was common and brought in sin. Jesus cleansed that and brought holiness and righteousness. For not only does He destroy the temple, but He raises it again in three days. John also makes it clear that this stood out as a lesson to the disciples who then remembered this once Jesus rose again.

If we want to understand how the original audience took such a lesson, we don't have to look much further than Paul. Seeing how Jesus cares for His Father's house being a physical temple, how much more so does He then care for it as His body?

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
Ephesians 5:29-30

The Lord very much so cares for His body. And we must remember that His body is what now houses the Holy Spirit.

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
-1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Is this not ultimately the testimony that every believer has? That we, who are those that are supposed to bear the image of God, have been cleansed by Jesus and purified by Him? That is exactly our state. And that is exactly the lesson for the original audience here.

What lesson do you see?