On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
- Mark 11:15–17 (NIV11)
Why the angry outburst from Jesus? After all, the moneychangers were there for a reason, to convert money into sacrificial offerings. It was biblically mandated in the Torah. So, why all the fuss and outrage?
Well you see, the temple was divided into four courts: The outermost Court of the Gentiles, the Court of the Women, the Court of Israel, and the Court of the Priests. Yes, the temple of God included a court for the gentile (i.e. the non-Jewish person). A place of prayer for the non-believer and seeker. A sacred place for the riffraff. A place for those who had no other sacred spaces.
Yet, it was in this court of the riffraff that the merchants and moneychangers had chosen to set up their tables. The only area set aside as a house of prayer for the gentiles and riffraff had been turned into "a den of thieves" for the bartering of sacrificial offerings. The one place where the non-believer and the seeker could encounter God in a sacred space had been taken away.
Well you see, the temple was divided into four courts: The outermost Court of the Gentiles, the Court of the Women, the Court of Israel, and the Court of the Priests. Yes, the temple of God included a court for the gentile (i.e. the non-Jewish person). A place of prayer for the non-believer and seeker. A sacred place for the riffraff. A place for those who had no other sacred spaces.
Yet, it was in this court of the riffraff that the merchants and moneychangers had chosen to set up their tables. The only area set aside as a house of prayer for the gentiles and riffraff had been turned into "a den of thieves" for the bartering of sacrificial offerings. The one place where the non-believer and the seeker could encounter God in a sacred space had been taken away.
We need to be careful that our churches and sacred places don't become private "religious" spaces where seekers and unbelievers feel unwelcomed, be they strangers, refugees, sinners, seniors, children, infants, homeless, poor, or riffraff.
Prayer:
Father of all, whose sacred place is no longer restricted to the temple, reveal yourselves to all who seek you. As stewards of your sacred spaces, give us courage to overturn the tables and tear down the barriers that make it difficult for seekers and non-believers to find their place within your sacred spaces. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Prayer:
Father of all, whose sacred place is no longer restricted to the temple, reveal yourselves to all who seek you. As stewards of your sacred spaces, give us courage to overturn the tables and tear down the barriers that make it difficult for seekers and non-believers to find their place within your sacred spaces. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
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