Text: Isaiah 56:7-8, Jeremiah 7:8-11, Matthew 21:10-17, Luke 19:45-48
Who is this man riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, the one hailed by the crowd as the Son of David? The whole city, the scripture says, is abuzz with the question. You can imagine their surprise when Jesus heads straight for the temple, establishing His authority by driving the sellers out, overturning their tables and tossing money to the temple floor. Talk about causing a stir.
Jesus said to them, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:13b, ESV) Each scriptural account of the story quotes Jesus as making this distinction. A house: a place of rest and restoration and communion. A den: a place of darkness and confinement. But only Matthew tells us what happens next. After Jesus tosses out those who would pervert the temple of God into a temple of wealth and greed and convenience, He does something revolutionary: He invites the Least inside.
The blind, the lame, the children all come in and Jesus welcomes them, heals them, confirms their place among Him. He cleared out those who profaned the temple and ushered in those who humbly sought after God.
When I picture the scene I can see myself in the wings, on the outside looking in. I am nervous, I am afraid, but I am drawn to this house of God and so I watch and wait. Those inside seem to have it together, bringing riches rather than sacrifice, doing religion like a business. All I have is this humble offering in my hands, carried the long journey from my home, over rocky roads and mistake-laden miles. Then I see Him. And right before my eyes I watch Him turn it on its side, all the pretension and injustice and darkness that kept me at bay. He sends out those who’ve come not for God but for gods. And then? He looks me in the eye. Me. Lame, frightened, filthy from days of travel, He looks at me and sees me. He motions for me to come in and then He tells me I belong.
Oh, Sisters, this is our Christ. He welcomes in the defenseless and He becomes their defense. He brings the weak to Himself and makes them strong. He desires not the shiny sacrifices our pride wishes to bring, but only a heart that is stayed on Him.
We cannot purchase Him, for He has purchased us.
I just started this plan yesterday and I think its great timing! Since the "Bible" series just ended last weekend! So this story is still very fresh in my memory. I remember watching the scene about the temple and I got goose bumps. I remember wishing I was there when Jesus showed them! When he put his foot down and showed them who's boss! I was so happy that he stood for what was right and executed his words so perfectly. And when one of the religious leaders tried to test Jesus. He knew exactly what to say to shut him up! He knew it was a trap, Jesus isn't stupid and cannot be fooled! I always wonder though what is our modern day temple? Is it the buildings we go every weekend for Church? If so, I feel as though some Church's are like the religious leaders and Roman's back then. Cause I see Church's selling stuff and making money and profiting off of the attendee's who come to service every weekend. Is that the same thing? Buying and selling and making money in the House of God? Every time I hear this story about the temple and I read and read very carefully to make sure I'm understanding the scripture and what Jesus means or what he's getting at, I always find myself asking this question and thinking about the Church's I've been to that sell and make money off of people that come. Whether it be food, souvenirs, fundraisers, tickets, CD's, books, etc. They don't go selling sacrifices like sheep or Dove's but idk, just wondering….