One temple hides another…

Lk 19.45-46, He entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers. 

In a similar passage in John 2, we learn that these were people selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers (vs. 14). He drove them all out of the temple saying: “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” Most of the interpretations of these passages are often very literal:

•       The local church should not be a place of trade at all.
•       Jesus is speaking against those whose minds are filled with cares about worldly business when attending religious exercises, or who perform divine offices for love of gain. 

But let’s look at the historical context of these scriptures. Back then, the Temple of Jerusalem was the centre of the religious activity. That’s where people came to offer the sacrifices prescribed by the Law of Moses. Those who lived far away from the Holy City would turn the value of their sacrifice into money and then, travel to Jerusalem and spend that money in the Temple, buying oxen or sheep or pigeons etc. (Deut 14:22-26). Besides, the only currency allowed in the Temple was the Jewish money (Mat 17:24); but it the rest of the empire, it’s the Roman money –with Caesar’s effigy– which was in use; hence the presence of the money-changers in the temple. The Law made provision for all of this and thus, it’s clear that it’s not the mere acts of buying and selling in the temple’s courts which are condemned here, but the traffic; the illegal trade which was now taking place there. Indeed, some unscrupulous chaps were exploiting the situation by using exorbitant exchange rates and overpricing the animals destined for sacrifice. And unfortunately, the poor pilgrims had no other choice than to exchange their money and buy what they needed for the sacrifices. It is against this organized theft and vile exploitation of their fellow-citizens that Jesus protested. Therefore, there is no harm in selling stuff in church; but it all depends on the nature of what we sell and how we price it. We should not exploit the brethren and we should be cautious about what we put in the holy treasure. The Jews would not accept Roman money… Selling religious articles or food and drinks is one thing; selling clothes, shoes or Kung-Fu DVDs is another thing…

Now, when asked what gave Him the right to behave like that, Jesus answered: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” and John adds that He was speaking about the temple of his body (Jn 2:18-21). In other words, behind this Temple story, there is another temple story. Jesus goes from the Temple of Jerusalem to the temple of His Body; and, likewise, we are to go from our local churches to the temples of the Living GOD that we are (1Cor 3:16). We are called to be ‘houses of prayer’, ‘houses of worship’; places wherefrom sweet smelling fragrances go up to the LORD. But we often, way too often, turn our temples from their original and intended use; and let all manner of thieves and traffickers in –bad habits, bad thoughts, sin, and even demons…

Enough is enough! Let’s get rid of all these intruders. Let’s go back to the source. Say with me: May the zeal of His house [my local church] and the zeal of my house [the temple that I am; the fulfilment of my destiny] consume me afresh, in Jesus Name! 

Good riddance, good cleansing and great week in HIM.

Cheers!