Mark 11 v15-18
“On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’
The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”
It must have been a shocking scene – tables overturned, money (and doves!) flying about, voices raised in anger and disbelief and Jesus loudly quoting two prophets from the Old Testament – Jeremiah (7v11) and Isaiah (56v7).
The temple represented the heart of Israel’s religious and national life, where God dwelt with his people. But instead of voices lifted in prayer and worship, it was money that talked loudest – a house of prayer had been turned into a noisy marketplace. And a corrupt one. Animals bought for sacrificing weren’t the only ones being fleeced; it was a mockery of everything the temple was meant to stand for.
Jesus was angry at what he saw and turned the whole system upside down. People were kept from getting close to God in the various areas in the Temple. There was the large outer Gentile court (where the moneychangers were), the Jewish Women’s court, the Jewish Men’s court, the Holy Place of Priests then the Holy of Holies for High Priest only (and once a year only). This action was Jesus in character, motivated by love for his Father’s name – a purposeful response to something that was so clearly wrong.
When Jesus died, the temple curtain 3.5in thick, was torn from top to bottom allowing access to the Holy of Holies for EVERYONE – his plan of salvation.
When we see practices and attitudes in our everyday lives that don’t align with what God’s made us for, what should our response be?
Part of our purpose as followers of Jesus is to be a witness to God’s character and his priorities. Whilst we may not need to overturn tables as such, we can pray for God to show us proportionate ways to respond and act out of love.
Inspired by LICC
A Toolbox for Small Churches (40 people or less) 