Tags
Anger, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 19, Mall of God, Religious Elites, Zeal
Radical Sayings of Jesus
Jesus is upset. Jesus let’s the religious elites know it.
It just isn’t right turning God’s holy temple into the “Mall of God”.
What are our religious leaders doing at church these days. Some are doing the same. You can’t get to the sanctuary with passing through the food court, the book store, the kiosks hawking religious trinkets.
What would Jesus say and do? What does Jesus challenge me to do?
I need to be careful. Am I complicit in all of this?
Going into the Temple he began to throw out everyone who had set up shop, selling everything and anything. He said, “It’s written in Scripture, My house is a house of prayer; You have turned it into a religious bazaar.” | Luke 19:45-46 (The Message Bible)
When Jesus cleared the temple of the moneychangers and animal-sellers, He showed great emotion (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; John 2:13-22). Jesus’ emotion was described as “zeal” for God’s house (John 2:17). His zeal was pure and completely justified because at its root was concern for God’s holiness and worship. Because these were at stake, Jesus took quick and decisive action.
Another time Jesus showed zeal was in the synagogue of Capernaum. When the Pharisees refused to answer Jesus’ questions, “He looked around at them in indignation, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts” (Mark 3:5).
How often am I guilty of “selling myself” in His house? How often do I want to be seen as a pious church-goer while sitting in the pew rather than focusing on the Word and praise for Him? Lord God, do not be indignant with my stubborn heart. Change my heart to one of praise and thanksgiving for all that I am belongs to You.
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Master Jesus the Messiah, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
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I struggle with this too…my church has a coffee bar and I volunteer there every 3rd Sunday of the month. However, we also give away coffee and I believe the proceeds from the coffee bar and our books and merchandise go back into the ministry or our missions fund. However, it does weigh on my heart as to what Jesus would say should he walk through our doors.
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Sister, I understand completely. One of the churches I attend is exactly as I described it in the article. I don’t go there much any more.
It seats over 15,000. It has a massive food court, 3 bookstores, kiosks with every imaginable “Christian” baubles.
I do imagine it would be exactly the kind of thing that would set Jesus off. I know He is not a fan. What have we become? It is sad.
The good news is that there are so many followers of our King that are on the right track.
Thanks for your faithfulness to Jesus.
Be blessed.
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