The story of Jesus cleansing the temple is one of the gospel stories that many of us have heard again and again. Some cite this story in the context of righteous indignation, as if the anger Jesus displays in turning over the tables and chasing the money changers from the temple justifies one's angry reactions when offended by ideological or theological differences with believers and non-believers. Others see Jesus defending the poor and helpless here who are being taken advantage of by temple vendors. Perhaps we miss the point in this story for its message, at least for me as I read it, is a story of reverence for the things of God, particularly in the context of worship and grace. Jesus says, "Don't make my Father's house a place for buying and selling!" Today's New International Version offers the following translation of verse seventeen, which immediately follows Jesus' words. "The disciples then remembered that the scriptures say, 'My love for your house burns in me like a fire.'" The wonder, awe, and mystery of relationship with the Creator God have been replaced by temple commerce and petty sacrifice.
David reminds us in the fifty-first Psalm of what God expects when we come before God. "You are not pleased by sacrifices, or I would give them. You don't want burnt offerings. The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin." To worship the living God is to come before God in humility, recognizing my own sin, and asking for forgiveness.
The cross of Jesus Christ, though popular in the commerce of our culture, is not something to be bought and sold as a symbol of righteousness. The cross is a stark reminder of the price God was willing to pay to redeem sinners like you and me. It is also the mark of discipleship, for Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
The cross of Jesus Christ, though popular in the commerce of our culture, is not something to be bought and sold as a symbol of righteousness. The cross is a stark reminder of the price God was willing to pay to redeem sinners like you and me. It is also the mark of discipleship, for Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
Jesus cleansed a temple that had embraced the buying and selling of faith as a worthy substitute for a humble and contrite heart. Is the temple of your heart in need of such cleansing?
Jim Abernathy
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