Our scripture this morning is Mark 11:15-18.
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. 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.
This familiar passage appears in all 4 Gospels (John 2, Luke 19, Matthew 21). We get a sense of how frustrated Jesus is with those who are making money off the required sacrifices at the temple. If there is a good example of righteous anger, this is it.
While Jesus was angry at those involved in this, He was more angry at the religious leaders for not only permitting this but profiting from it. This gives us a sense that sin occurs not only when we commit it but also when we allow it. Jesus wants us to see our responsibility to keep our worship focused on the praise of God.
When we are distracted from worship by outside things, it dilutes the experience of being close to God. It brings the world into our faith, rather than taking our faith to the world. Jesus wants us to clear our hearts and minds for worship in the same way, removing anything that keeps us from connecting to God.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we let worldly things interfere with our worship. Bless us to worship You in spirit and truth, and share Your love with the world. Amen.
