the temple is cleansed
Matthew 21:12-17
Take a moment to think about a topic that stirs up a wave of righteous anger in you. Is there a matter of injustice or ethics that gets you riled up? The feeling that gets triggered in you when you see this injustice is similar to what Jesus feels as he walks up to the temple courts.
The people selling in the temple courts were essentially trying to rip off people who just made the long pilgrimage to the temple to make their sacrifices. They were jacking up prices for sacrificial animals (Leviticus 1) to either a) make a buck off of travelers who couldn’t bring their own animals or b) prevent certain people from accessing God in the temple.
The place designed to bring people closer to God was being used for selfish gain. The God who welcomes all to seek Him was being gatekept. People weren’t seeking God through prayer; they were seeking greed through unethical payments.
Jesus is clear: the temple, which represents closeness with God, is for all people to seek him without barrier. As Jesus cleanses the temple, he foreshadows that he is the one to break down all barriers for people to access God.
Once the money changers are gone, look who Jesus makes room for the blind, the lame, and children.
Those considered “less than” are welcomed into the temple courts, while those who abused their power were driven out. Jesus used his righteous anger to heal people and redeem the temple's purpose.
Like the money changers, we are constantly tempted to replace our relationship with Jesus with other things: money, religious routine, and the pride of feeling “better than” somebody. These are all ways we try to mask our insecurities and pain. Instead of going to Jesus to heal us, we try to make ourselves feel better by putting others down. Where are you tempted to do this?
Jesus makes room for the hurting. He invites them to come and be healed. We see him do this in the temple courts. Jesus has allowed you to come to Him with your insecurities and pain. Will you humbly go to him? What do you need to bring to Him? Healing probably won’t happen in an instant. But as you walk with Jesus, you’ll see him heal a little each day.
Just as Jesus removed the gatekeepers in the temple, he has removed every barrier for you to approach him and be with him. Go to him and ask for healing.
