Carl Henreich Bloch, "Casting out the MoneyChangers"
Why is this picture of Jesus, driving out the moneychangers and merchants from the temple, so fascinating to us? El Greco painted the "Cleansing of the Temple" at least five times. From Rembrandt to Durer, all the "big names" seem to have sculpted, painted, or engraved it at least once.
Some people say that the concept of Christ rising up with physical power and courage in the face of so many, rolling up his sleeves, and asserting moral authority in this way is just such a unique picture of Jesus that we cannot look away. They say we need to approach the failings of the Church just as aggressively.
Some people seem to be fascinated that Jesus was righteously angry, took stark and swift action, and yet - by definition - did not sin. They look hungrily at His example in this scene, drinking in his ability to define what is right and not hesitate to assert His authority over sin.
But I wonder. Is it possible that the idea of Jesus overturning the tables of the moneychangers and driving them out of the temple is so incredibly attractive to the hearts of men and women because we each know that we have ceded territory to sin that should belong to Holy God? That just as buying and selling should not take place in a "House of Prayer," there are things that do not belong in the life of a follower of Christ?
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." - I Corinthians 6:19-20
There is no better time than Passion week, as we commemorate the effective death and resurrection of Christ to pay that inestimable price for our sake, to invite Jesus in to cleanse these temples of ours. Note well how aggressively He will work to seek and drive out sin. The gospel of John says, " he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables." The Gospel of Mark adds, " He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts." That kind of change can be painful. Are you willing?
Each of the four gospels goes on to say that Christ taught them - That after he cleansed the temple, he was teaching there. In our lives, too, we must get rid of all the distractions so that we can focus on His teaching, focus on Him.
At Passover, the head of the observant Jewish house goes through the home symbolically looking for leaven, as a symbol of sin, to throw out. The family searches out and destroys any little bit of leaven in their homes before Passover, even scouring the home from top to bottom to eliminate any trace of it. The final ceremony - the bedikat chametz - is done with a feather and a spoon, sweeping up the last trace of bread to be removed from the house and burned.
Let's go through our own temple today, asking Christ to reveal that which must be removed to make us a fit dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to overturn the actions, drive out the attitudes, take a whip to the habits that must go. Perhaps it is this truth we find so appealing, for the Christ who insisted on the temple being a house of prayer all those years ago remains the same today. He isn't only interested in cleansing and teaching in that temple of old. He is vitally, actively, aggressively interested in each and every one of us.
Almighty Lord. I come to You asking that you direct my thoughts, cleanse my heart attitudes, reveal to me any sin. Cleanse my life, as you did the temple of old. I was bought with the price of your sacrifice, and my dear desire is to honor you with all of my being. For the sake of Your Glory, Amen.
For the Glory of His name,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
Some people say that the concept of Christ rising up with physical power and courage in the face of so many, rolling up his sleeves, and asserting moral authority in this way is just such a unique picture of Jesus that we cannot look away. They say we need to approach the failings of the Church just as aggressively.
Some people seem to be fascinated that Jesus was righteously angry, took stark and swift action, and yet - by definition - did not sin. They look hungrily at His example in this scene, drinking in his ability to define what is right and not hesitate to assert His authority over sin.
But I wonder. Is it possible that the idea of Jesus overturning the tables of the moneychangers and driving them out of the temple is so incredibly attractive to the hearts of men and women because we each know that we have ceded territory to sin that should belong to Holy God? That just as buying and selling should not take place in a "House of Prayer," there are things that do not belong in the life of a follower of Christ?
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." - I Corinthians 6:19-20
There is no better time than Passion week, as we commemorate the effective death and resurrection of Christ to pay that inestimable price for our sake, to invite Jesus in to cleanse these temples of ours. Note well how aggressively He will work to seek and drive out sin. The gospel of John says, " he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables." The Gospel of Mark adds, " He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts." That kind of change can be painful. Are you willing?
Each of the four gospels goes on to say that Christ taught them - That after he cleansed the temple, he was teaching there. In our lives, too, we must get rid of all the distractions so that we can focus on His teaching, focus on Him.
At Passover, the head of the observant Jewish house goes through the home symbolically looking for leaven, as a symbol of sin, to throw out. The family searches out and destroys any little bit of leaven in their homes before Passover, even scouring the home from top to bottom to eliminate any trace of it. The final ceremony - the bedikat chametz - is done with a feather and a spoon, sweeping up the last trace of bread to be removed from the house and burned.
Let's go through our own temple today, asking Christ to reveal that which must be removed to make us a fit dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to overturn the actions, drive out the attitudes, take a whip to the habits that must go. Perhaps it is this truth we find so appealing, for the Christ who insisted on the temple being a house of prayer all those years ago remains the same today. He isn't only interested in cleansing and teaching in that temple of old. He is vitally, actively, aggressively interested in each and every one of us.
Almighty Lord. I come to You asking that you direct my thoughts, cleanse my heart attitudes, reveal to me any sin. Cleanse my life, as you did the temple of old. I was bought with the price of your sacrifice, and my dear desire is to honor you with all of my being. For the sake of Your Glory, Amen.
For the Glory of His name,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
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