By
Rembrandt entitled "Christ Driving The Money Changers Out of the Temple".
1626.
John
2:13-17
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple
courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at
tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the
temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money
changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get
these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His
disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Mark 15: 15-18
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. 17 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'. The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this
and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole
crowd was amazed at his teaching.
What is your image of
Jesus? Too often when I think of Jesus the image that comes to mind resembles
the hymn "Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild". It's an image of a nice
Jesus. However, in Rembrandt's painting "Christ Driving the Money Changers
from the Temple"
we see another contrasting and disturbing image: an angry Jesus! According to
John, Jesus "made a whip of cords" (vs. 15) and we see this image
vividly in Rembrandt's painting. Look at Jesus' stern eyes and punishing hand
that is about to whip the moneychangers. Notice the fear in the face of the one
about to be hit and the greedy hands of the one sitting at the table protecting
his money.
Now meditate on this:
imagine yourself as one of those moneychangers. Seriously, take a minute...
close your eyes and imagine Jesus is about to give you a whooping. Not so much
fun to meditate on is it? I wonder if the reason why is because our image of
Jesus is too sanitized... too safe... too meek and mild...
[Note: please know I'm not
suggesting that Jesus condones violence. Click
here to read Jesus' words about nonviolence.]
Why did Jesus get angry?
According to Mark, Jesus is teaching us that His Church should be "a house
of prayer for all nations" and not "a den of robbers" (vs. 17).
We as a church need to meditate on this teaching: is Kairos a House of Prayer?
Have you ever taken the risk of sharing a prayer request during worship? If you
have then you know the power of the prayers of this community. Yet how often
during the week do you pray for our church and those who risked sharing their
prayer requests? I'll confess I don't do it often. In fact if I'm honest I
don't really pray that often. Sure, as a Hospice Chaplain I pray with the
people I visit. Sure, I say grace before dinner. But meditate with me on this:
is my house a house of prayer? If not, then take it to the cross during this
Holy Week and experience the renewal of your life this Easter Sunday!
Prayer: Jesus I need you.
I need you to show forth yourself to me more fully. My image of You too often
is safe and sacral. Help me to see what angers You about this world and about
myself. Forgive me and lead me into a deeper prayer life with You. For I want
to be alive in You and consumed with what breaks Your heart. Use me Lord to be
Your hands to touch and heal those in need - starting with me.
Written by Tom Livengood
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