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Devotional
“My house will be called a house of prayer.” ~ Matthew 21:13 (NIV)
When I was a child, we had a large Bible that sat out in our living room. In it were glorious, full-color paintings of key scenes from the Bible. I’ve no idea what happened to that Bible. Lost in a move, perhaps. But years later, I still remember those pictures. There was Adam naming the animals, Moses holding his staff high over the Red Sea, and then there was Jesus. My sweet, loving, gentle Savior; my Rock; my Peace in the storms . . . flipping tables in the temple.
Animals in chaos. Coins scattered. Vendors outraged.
It’s an image burned into my memory. This isn’t what we’ve come to expect from Jesus, is it?
But here is the truth: Yes, our Savior is endlessly loving. Yes, He is our Rock to stand upon. And yes, He is the Peace in our storms. But let us make no mistake, He is power personified.
Because our Savior is more than the Lamb. He is also the Lion.
Flipping Tables
When Jesus reached Jerusalem that Passover week, He went to the temple. There, in the outer court of the Gentiles, in a place intended for worship, He found a marketplace. Instead of sacred songs and prayers, He found moneychangers clattering their coins. Vendors hawking, bidding, and bartering for the animals they sold. Cattle stomping about, sheep crying out, doves fluttering, and everywhere around Him was the stench of corruption.
There are some lines Jesus does not allow to be crossed. Not for long. There are some offenses He will not tolerate. Not forever. And this was one.
Jesus flipped the tables and knocked over chairs throughout the marketplace. He scattered animals and coins. And He drove the moneychangers and those buying and selling from the temple.
“It is written,” Jesus declared, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers’” (Matthew 21:13 NIV).
Why?
Why would Jesus do that? Sure, He got frustrated with His disciples from time to time. He got angry with the religious leaders. But flipping tables and knocking over chairs? This is a completely different side of Jesus. Why did He do it?
Because the house of God was being defiled and the people of God were being cheated.
You see, the pilgrims coming to Passover needed to exchange their local money for the temple coins in order to pay the temple tax. They also needed to purchase animals to offer as a sacrifice.
Jesus was angry because the moneychangers were cheating the pilgrims, giving them less than their local currency was worth. And those selling the animals were asking outrageously inflated prices. They were turning the worship of God into a shakedown.
And they were doing it all in the court of the Gentiles. It was the only place in the temple complex Gentiles were allowed to worship God. These people with their clattering coins and overpriced animals were denying others a place to worship.
This was a sacred place. A place of prayer. And they had turned it into a den of thieves.
So, the Lamb became a Lion.
Injustice makes Jesus angry. It did then, and it does now. But we have to take note of something very important here: Even in the midst of flipping tables, Jesus did not lose control. No people or animals were harmed in the making of this moment. Jesus did not sin in His anger. (Lord, help us to be more like Him.)
A Habit of Flipping Things
Jesus has a habit of flipping things upside down, not just tables, but also expectations and ways of thinking.
“The last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16 NIV)
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 NIV)
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44 NIV)
Jesus touched the untouchables, sought out the lost, and reached down into the dust to help and heal and restore.
And He challenges His followers to do the same.
The Challenge for Us
We must not get so wrapped up in the goodness and grace of our God that we forget His justice.
And we must not mistake His patience for a lack of concern. He Himself tells us that . . .
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)
Because Jesus is coming again . . . and, make no mistake, this time He’ll be more Lion than Lamb.
Holy God, show me the tables I need to step away from and the tables I need to flip. Not from anger, but from a desire to cleanse my soul of all that does not honor You. Then, please Lord, give me the courage to do what You call me to do. Nothing more. Nothing less. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection Questions:
Thieves still creep into the courtyards of our lives. Thieves of our time and His truth. What “thieves” do you need to clear out of your life?
Someone once said, “Don’t beg for a seat at a table Jesus would have flipped.” Are you begging for a seat where you shouldn’t be? Are there tables you need to step away from?
