Day 29 - Temple Tantrums

by Grace Outlaw

Matthew 21; Amos 5

In the bustling courts of the Jerusalem temple, a scene of chaos unfolds. Money changers haggle over exchange rates, merchants hawk their wares, and the cacophony of commerce drowns out the whispers of prayer. Into this din steps Jesus, his eyes blazing with righteous anger.

I don’t know about you, but that mental image terrifies me a bit. I am not a confrontational person, and the idea of seeing our loving, kind, gentle-hearted, forgiving savior blazing with righteous anger paints an unsettling picture!

“And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, 'It is written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer," but you make it a den of robbers.'" (Matthew 21:12-13)

With forceful determination, Jesus overturns tables and scatters coins across the stone floor. He drives out the merchants, their animals fleeing before him. The temple, meant to be a sacred space for communion with God, had become a marketplace where profit trumped piety.

This powerful act of cleansing is both judgment and restoration. Jesus condemns the corruption that had seeped into the very heart of worship, where convenience and greed had replaced reverence and sacrifice. Yet in clearing away the clutter, he also creates space for true devotion to flourish once more, as a raging wildfire cleanses the soil to nurture new growth.

The temple cleansing reminds us that God desires authentic worship, not mere ritual or outward appearance. Jesus' actions echo the words of the prophet, Amos: "I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me... But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" (Amos 5:21,24).

As we reflect on this moment in Jesus' ministry, we're challenged to examine our own hearts and practices:

1. What "tables" in our lives need overturning? Are there areas where we've allowed worldly concerns to crowd out our devotion to Jesus?

2. How can we cultivate a "house of prayer" in our daily lives? What practices help us create sacred space for encountering God?

3. In what ways might we be participating in systems that hinder true worship? How can we work to dismantle these barriers?

Jesus' cleansing of the temple wasn't just about cleaning up a physical space. It was a call to purify our hearts, to realign our priorities, and to ensure that our worship is genuine and God-centered.

As you navigate your day, or even the entirety of this Lenten season, look for the things that hinder you from fully engaging with God. Search for ways to create sacred “spaces” with God during this time; in your home, your church, your community, and mindfully remove any obstacles that keep you from worshiping authentically!