Jesus’ overturning the tables of those selling goods in the temple, wasn’t simply a protest against the commercialism of the temple . . .
It was so much more than that!
By driving out those who were buying + selling temple sacrifices, He effectively brought what had gone on in the temple for centuries to a screeching halt for the next 30 minutes to an hour.
Talk about performance art! Jesus was making a statement. Think about what He said . . .
“My house was designated a house of prayer . . . ” —Matthew 21:13
The Gospel of Mark includes a line that was originally in the prophecy from Isaiah,
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations . . . ” (Mark 11:17, Cf Isaiah 56:7).
In other words, the Temple was meant to be a place where people from every nation, tribe, village + people could come + experience God. No divisions, separations, or exclusions!
But Annas, the dude who was supposed to be in charge of making certain God’s directives were actually being carried out, had transformed the very area meant to be designated for those who felt like “outcasts” into an overcrowded, overpriced “spiritual swap meet” that created barriers between people + God, instead of removing them.
Jesus even said,
“You have made it a hangout for thieves.” —Matthew 21:13 (Cf Jeremiah 7:11)
He was quoting Scripture again (Jeremiah 7:11).
Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the Lord, have spoken! —Jeremiah 7:11 NLT
In Jesus’ mind, the temple was supposed to be a place where people could come + know they mattered to God, express their worship, experience His presence, receive His goodness + offer God their best. Instead, the temple had become a place where the broken, outcasts, rejects + marginalized were extorted, pushed aside, crowded out, dismissed + even abused.
Jesus said, “Enough!”
Today’s Verse: The Decree of the Master, God himself, who gathers in the exiles of Israel: “I will gather others also, gather them in with those already gathered.” —Isaiah 56:8 MSG
Today’s Prompt: Do you believe that the House of God is a place for every nation, tribe, village + people?
Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that I am welcome anywhere + everywhere God dwells.
Today’s Prayer: Father, I’ve felt like an outcast before + I know how lonely that can be. Help me to always have an open heart, open mind + open arms to those that feel marginalized, rejected, or forgotten. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
