In this passage Jesus chases the moneychangers and those who sold animals from the Temple. All my life I was taught that it was because of their dishonesty. In fact, it is part of the good news that Jesus came for all of us.
He did not run them out because their professions were sinful. They provided a much-needed service for those who traveled from great distances. Jewish law required that monetary offerings be made in Jewish currency.The Moneychangers made that possible.
But the moneychangers and those who sold animals for sacrifices set up their tables in the court of the Gentiles,thus crowding them out! How many times do we find our churches institutionalizing a good idea that marginalizes or excludes a group of people to which we are to be witnesses.
God's house was to be a house of prayer for all peoples (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17).
In this season of Lent, we need to examine our individual lives and our corporate life together. If our "church" concerns or polity take priority over the greater mission of making God's house a place of prayer for everyone, we might consider "Cleaning House"?
Awesome observation!
ReplyDeleteA 'man of prayer' told me many years ago, referring to developing a powerful prayer life, that "if we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, then we should be a house of prayer. But we've made it a den of thieves, robbing ourselves and others of room to grow in prayer."
Thanks for posting!
Peace!
Fr. Wade+
Lakeland, FL