The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Jesus is REALLY angry! Angry that this place of prayer and worship has become more of a market place. It seems the sacrifices to be offered have become more important than the One they are offered to. Making the sale has become more important than making the sacrifice. So Jesus is pissed!
Have you been that angry lately? Was it over something minor - like a traffic jam or someone else's perceived incompetence? Or was it over something more important? An injustice or abuse?
3 comments:
I can picture Jesus standing there in the temple with the whip over his head, the people cringing as they hear the loud "crack." I have to admit when I am angry at someone, I don't stay angry long. I can usually say my peace and go on with life. But every now and then, there is that one person that I can't seem to forget or forgive as quickly. When this happens, I know that I am not acting as a Christian should. I wonder if Jesus came to my house, which room would he choose to clean up with his righteous anger?
Funny you should mention injustice, as I'm angry today about an injustice done to someone. I know someone who has worked somewhere for 3 weeks, resigned today for another job, and was told he was not getting paid at all for the time he put in. I'm not sure the boss can legally do that, but that seems to be his M.O. I can't understand how people treat each other sometimes. And anger in general is something I see happening more and more in my life as I get older. I try to stifle my anger (no really I do!) as much as possible, but then it goes to resentment and can last longer. Maybe having an outburst for a moment like Jesus did makes a better statement than "sucking it up". Jesus sure did wake the people up, didn't he?
Lynne- I like your closing question - that actually fits with a meditation I was thinking of using on Sunday. You must be reading my mind!
Wow Brenda - that is awful what happened... and yes, I believe that is illegal. As for Jesus, I think there must be a time and a place for outbursts... and a time and place for that much anger. Some causes are worth that much anger - other times it really is no big thing... it is more about me being inconvenienced than anything else...
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