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Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Temple cleaning and gatekeeping

March 10, 2021 (Wednesday)

 

One action of Jesus is troubling to those of us with gentle souls. It was the time Jesus cleansed the Temple. Let’s take a look at the story from Mark’s perspective.

 

It a bit of context, this follows Jesus cursing the fig tree. On some level the cursing of the fig tree seems like a senseless act. It seems like an act done in anger (the tree had no fruit). In a way, I can see how this might have been a prelude to what Jesus was about to do.

 

So what happened and why? I am so glad you asked!!! “And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.” [Mark 11:15 ESV] Notice Jesus did not politely ask them to leave. Jesus did not sermonize about what was happening. Jesus drove them out.

 

The tables of the money-changers were made of stone. Josephus suggests they were about the size of a standard communion table. Ever wonder where the temple guard was? Most likely they were watching, thinking it would not be wise to get in the way of such a strong individual.

 

The image from John 2:15 is that Jesus made a whip (a weapon) to drive them out. In Mark we are told Jesus drove out both those who SOLD and BOUGHT. Consider this for a moment. It was necessary to have an animal for sacrifice. This market provided that essential service. It was also not allowed to bring in or use Roman coins (pagan image) so this market provided that essential service. What’s wrong here?

 

It is thought the market was set up in the “court of the Gentiles.” This was the place where “undesirable” people were allowed. It was reserved for those with physical disabilities and imperfections as well as Gentiles. In Matthew 21:14, we are told that after the Temple was cleared the blind and the lame came into the Temple. (Jesus healed them.)

 

Imagine a system of worship designed to keep needy people out. Ummm… you don’t really have to imagine. If you grew up in an American church in the twentieth century there is nothing to imagine, you grew up in this system. We covered our consciences by our mixed up theology of holiness. Somehow we mistakenly thought that a person seeking forgiveness must first be flawless in word, thought, and deed.

 

Jesus explains, “And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” [Mark 11:17 ESV] I am comforted by the thought that this was to be a house of prayer for ALL NATIONS. In other words, there was place and space for all to be welcomed. (See Isaiah 56:7)

 

When we are praying we are not gossiping. When we are praying we are not judging others. When we are praying we are not gatekeepers. When we are praying we are not focused on our distinctions, theologies, or politics. When we are praying we have our heads bowed in humility rather than fists raised in anger and stone throwing. (Remember the ugliness of 2020? Kind of brought out the worst in many otherwise good people.)

 

What is a “den of robbers?” It’s a place bad people can hang out “safely,” without fear of justice. I know we focus on the buying and selling. But they were providing an essential service. The problem is they were crowding out the space reserved for those broken by sin and life leaving only space for the self-righteous.

 

God forbid we ever feel secure. At least sure enough of our security that we become judgmental rock tossing gatekeepers.

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