It was still Palm Sunday on the day that Jesus made His way to the temple and rebuked the sellers and money changers. It is likely that this market had been set up in the area of the temple designated for Gentiles to come pray and worship–the outer court. It had originally been an act of mercy and care for these folks to be provided with options to change out their currency or purchase doves for sacrifices, as many were travelers to the area. This market had become culturally accepted by the people and the temple leaders alike!
Over time, this courtyard for prayer had become a place where cheaters took advantage of Gentiles and poor Jews, ripping them off with overpriced sacrificial options. To make matters worse, it’s possible these sellers were yelling to get the attention of passersby with “the better deal.” Arguments may have often broken out between sellers or angry people realizing they’ve been duped…and this courtyard for prayer and worship was now a market desecrating the temple and distracting people from meeting with God.
Our God has always been a good God, One who cares for the poor and outcast. We read in Leviticus that He provided a way for the poor to make sacrifices, and, instead of the lamb or goat, they could sacrifice a dove or pigeon instead. (Jesus’ own earthly parents sacrificed doves at the temple, which tells us that they, too, were poor!) There’s even a special courtyard of the temple for the “foreigner” to still come to Him, until Jesus would break all the walls down and make a way for us to come directly to the Holy of Holies. But the goodness of God’s intent was being abused.
Now check this out. Jesus is angry. He is overturning tables and benches, rebuking the businessmen, and then He starts healing the blind and lame, all the while there are people at the entrance shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!” What is happening here?! He immediately corrected the wrong situation and returned the temple to its intended purpose– a house of prayer! This isn’t the first time He has done this. He cleansed the temple early in His ministry as well, so that He has now done it twice is saying something grand.
God intends that His temple be consecrated, holy, set apart. Whether it’s His Church or His people–the temple in which He resides must be holy. You may have witnessed spiritual gifts being abused, words of prophecy that are certainly not words of God, scripture being twisted to fit an intended bias, or even harm and pain being caused due to legalism. Maybe you’ve been on the offending side of this coin. Either way–the house needs cleansed.
But, before we decide to give up on church or allow ourselves to slip into sin, let’s remember the Lord’s purpose for what He makes. Whether it’s the temple, the church, marriage, the family, or life itself, we should seek to know God’s design and to honor Him. Any twisting or perverting of God’s design for selfish purposes will draw His righteous anger–regardless of whether culture accepts it or not. Draw near to God and let Him do the consecrating work through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s time to be the people He has called us to be—set apart.