God's House Was Never Meant for Exploitation

The four gospels differ on the exact timing of this event, but all four describe it as important to understanding Jesus. Jesus, angered to see the Temple reduced to a device for exploitive commerce, acted in the spirit of the Old Testament prophets. Matthew said Jesus quoted a composite of words from Isaiah and Jeremiah. (John’s gospel said Jesus’ passion for the Temple’s proper use reminded his disciples of Psalm 69:9, a poem about passion for God’s house.)

• Jerusalem’s priestly elite took advantage of pilgrims, especially at Passover, through their power to reject sacrificial animals and by requiring them to change other currency into “Temple shekels.” But Jesus called the Temple itself “my Father’s house.” He didn’t confuse the idea of worshiping God with the corrupt failings of some of the Temple’s human servants. What helps you to truly encounter God at church, not just the fallible human servants who may claim to serve God?
• Jesus’ action showed a principle that is about more than any one building or set of practices. Scholar William Barclay said, “It shows us one of the fiercest manifestations of his anger directed against those who exploited their fellowmen, and especially against those who exploited them in the name of religion…. Jesus could not bear to see simple people exploited for profit. Too often the Church has been silent in such a situation.” * How can you and your church speak up if people are exploited in God’s name?