When I was a little girl I can still remember my Sunday school teacher describing the temple of Bible times. I thought it was sad that some areas were off limits to so many. All I could think of was the door that was off the right side of the pulpit that my daddy preached in. The expensive sound system was kept there. Us kids had no business back there…we were not allowed on the other side of that door. My little mind guessed that the temple had a microphone and speaker system, too.
It wasn’t that simple. The temple was more complex than our modern
day sanctuaries…also known as auditoriums for those in my circles growing up.
Lately, the outer court of the temple has caught my
attention. This area was also known as the Court of the Gentiles. So many areas
were off limits to most or at least some. But this area was different. The
outer court was open to all foreigners, far and wide. There were no limitations
on race or gender. Everyone was welcome. Everyone could worship.
This is also the place were Jesus became angry, fashioned a
whip, and flipped some tables.
We know the story. It was almost Passover, so Jesus went to
Jerusalem. As he made his way into the temple, he saw people selling animals and
exchanging foreign money. The writer John tells us Jesus took enough time to make
a whip with some things he found on hand. Brandishing his new creation he then
chased the people right out of the temple. He scattered the animals and left
money lying all over the floor, just before he turned the tables upside down.
He bellowed, “Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
His disciples thought back onto prophecies they had learned
from their Jewish upbringing. Religious leaders were confused and shocked; some
were even mad. People today use this account to justify anger and to condemn
some churches for money making strategies or what they may see as gimmicks.
***
The American church now leans heavily toward success as seen
in the eyes of the business world. We now look at the quantitative side of
things…increasing numbers, both in congregational attendance numbers and in bank
account dollar signs. Success and growth tends to be measured by the acquisition
of land or the number of campuses and connections. These things are easily
counted, logically justified, and have the first-world stamp of approval.
Qualitative matters make many uncomfortable. The lines are
blurry here and results are sometimes harder to define. Sometimes the qualitative
sparks more emotion and creates space for interpretations and opinions. Much of
the time this leads to confrontation, only due to an unwillingness to embrace
the qualitative, and communicate openly and honestly while leaning into love.
Quantitative…easier to measure…black and white…safe.
Qualitative…not easily defined…a world of grey…vulnerable.
***
There was purpose behind the selling of the animals to the
people coming for Passover. The journeys had been long and hard on foot by
most or with the help of livestock at best. The majority had to find sacrificial
animals once they reached their destination. The merchants had to sell their
products to meet the needs of the ones desiring redemption in worship.
These same travelers came from different regions and far off
places. Different cultures, different dialects, different currency. The money
they had in their pockets and purses had no value unless it was exchanged for
the money that was accepted in Jerusalem. There was purpose in the presence of
money changers.
We do not know if these merchants inflated their prices or
not. We do not know if the money changers gave the correct rate of exchange.
One would hope that ethical practices were present at all times, but surely at
least this was the case in the days leading up to such a celebration and remembrance. But we just
do not know.
What do we know?
Jesus became filled with righteous anger.
What else do we know?
This situation took place in the outer court of the temple…where
everyone had a place to worship in peace and joy with God the Father.
What’s the connection?
The qualitative interaction of relationship between people
and God was impeded and interrupted by the quantitative business transactions
of the religious.
***
If Jesus was here today in the flesh, I wonder if he would
be flipping tables over and running folks out of buildings we call churches while
striking a whip. He just might. Are our intentions and purposes modeled and mirrored after Jesus? We should reflect and ponder on if he would
approve of how we treat those that shepherds and leaders have deemed employees while forgetting
they are also part of a flock, not to mention a brother or sister. Perhaps he would turn angry when our non-profits loose direction when pride gives them ultimate
authority, and orphanages are turned into businesses instead of homes.
The existence of financial decisions and the establishment
of procedures and methods are needed in any entity. This is the case in
businesses, churches, organizations, and even homes. It provides security and
guidance and accountability. There is purpose for these things. But…
In the church and it’s extensions when we elevate business
and quantitative matters over the quality of God breathed relationship and love
of others then we are metaphorically filling the outer courts of God’s temple
with self-absorbed preoccupation of what our culture deems as important.
And when this happens…perhaps a few tables should be
flipped.
