My friend Dave Carey and I were discussing the difference between the radical Jesus who overturned the tables in the temple and the way most Christian churches are. You see, Jesus was unafraid to drive out the rabble that had turned his Father’s house into a “den of thieves.” It should have been a house of prayer. Jesus spoke boldly and took action. I wonder how the tolerant politically correct seeker christian church of today would handle the same situation.
Our scenario: the temple coutyard is overrun with moneychangers, sellers of doves and other sacrificial type merchandise. How do you handle this?
Tolerant church answer: well, first we have to make relationships with these people. I mean, after all, you can’t just throw them out. Who do you think you are doing something like that? It’s is ridiculous. See, what we need to do is set up a similar business next to them. That way, we can form a relationship with them and get to understand them. Then we can have intelligent dialogue on the rights and wrongs and pros and cons of whether or not we should be in the temple selling stuff. As time goes on, we may add a discussion forum and bring others into the mix so that we can really get a feel for the community of merchants. Perhaps we can see what they would think about moving the merchandise mart out on the loop around the city. That way we could really expand the profit margin and triple our inventory. We would really be able to reach more temple goers if we were to set up by the main gate exit ramp as they were entering our city. Yes, it’s a good thing we didn’t just kick them out… we would never have had the chance to get to know these people otherwise!
Isn’t that how it is in today’s church? Our leaders are much too afraid to take action. We are far too timid to stand like Peter and Paul did and make clear lines about right and wrong and speak boldly and fearlessly. A church like that would not be the impotent body that we currently are. God, I pray that You would embolden us. Let us walk in the calling and destiny you have for us without fear.
[ps. this is a sweeping generalization… not every church everywhere is like this, but most are.]
I feel like I’m the conversation killer nowadays… Seems like every time I drop some talk, people shut up! =)
Jesus overturned tables in the temple. Some of us run around nowadays like the whole fricking world is the temple. I’m glad you narrowed your discussion to the actual church organizations and buildings. I am fortunate to be of a church body that speaks the truth.
I remember when a certain individual had to be approached with concerns for our college group a little over a year ago… that was hard. But you can’t let people run around telling everyone that they’re sheltered and not everything they believe to be sin is really sin. That’s it; Jesus wants you to push the limit. Truly Biblical.
Needless to say, after being approached, his heart was not right nor changeable, and he left. These things happen.
Mert has the idea, I believe. Jesus knew the hearts of those in the temple. And he was almost saying, “It is one thing if you defile me on this earth; it is been handed over already. But do not dare defile me in the sacred place…” I wish we knew the difference in today’s world.
Now I’m rambling, so I’ll stop.
To understand how angry Jesus was yet remained completely sinless is a mystery. We can be or act as radical as we want but we must do everything out of love and humility. We must remember that just because God has revealed to us some understanding, We are still no better than money changers and theives.
The thing that struck me as I read this, is where have we, collectively as a ministry compromised in order to make ourselves accessable to the masses. Because wasn’t that the purpose of the vendors in the temple? To make worship and sacrifice easy for the masses? But where does it say that it is supposed to be easy? We are to take the hard stand. We are to be different. It’s fear that holds us back. Fear that we will be rejected by a world we are not supposed to belong to anyway. Boldness is a gift we must pursue as much as we pursue the gifts of faith, grace, mercy, etc.
I think it’s completely relative…a tricky, icky ess curve of a blanket stand.
I believe the Lord knew the hearts and intent of those moneychangers and sellers of doves. I believe He understood the timing and depth of the the statement He was making with His actions. I also believe He gives us direction and discernment unto what He would like us to do everyday with every interaction.
I think thequestion we should be challenging ourselves with is would we personally be willing to overturn the tables and tell someone they are are fallen victim to the pit of hell if the Lord laid that upon us. Opposingly, would we be willing to step out and show love to someone who is seemingly unlovable. All those wonderful things that stretch us to the point of invisible….
are we willing to walk the walk and trust He is in control and knows best…..
M 🙂
if you haven’t seen Kingdom of Heaven, you need to go see it. It’s amazing.
Ever heard this example:
Someone is standing on a chair while someone else is standing on the ground next to them. Which will be easier: the person standing on the chair to pull up the person on the ground or the person on the ground to pull down the one on the chair?
It’s a slippery sloap, relativism.