The following passage causes us to wonder what our Lord was thinking when he came to the Temple and began to turn over the tables of the vendors. At first, we think of the sermons we have heard over the years about the buying and selling of religion and the the evil in that…to the point where many churches won’t even let you sell a t-shirt for youth group unless the “sale” goes on so many feet from the worship area. Some churches DO NOT allow eating near their places of worship and build another building for “fellowship”. But did we miss the real and deeper point of this thought-provoking action of our gentle, loving Savior?

He was making room for those who needed Him most. There were those who needed healing. They needed to see Jesus! And HE physically made room for them! This reminds me of his birth…no room for Jesus to be born in the guest house…only in a dark cave. Mm.

Read on…see what comes to your mind…

Matthew 21, Msg

He Kicked Over the Tables
12-14 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:

My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.

Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.

15-16 When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!” they were up in arms and took him to task. “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them. And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?”

17 Fed up, Jesus turned on his heel and left the city for Bethany, where he spent the night.

What would Jesus see in our churches today? Is there room for the blind and crippled from life to get in the doors? Do our programs take up too much space? Or are we too worried about the “wow” factor to impress people with our stuff of church? Or are they “wowed” by Jesus? Is there room for Jesus to provide what only Jesus can do? Heal them? Heal us? Oh, Lord, keep us alert. Don’t be “fed up” and turn on your heel and leave us, Lord Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father, You continually draw us deeper and wider into your thinking as we read Your Word, Your Story, Your Truth in the person of Jesus, Your Son. Thank you for saving us. Thank you for providing healing for all of us who believe in who You are and what You say. Help us to live Truth, Your Truth, out loud, so others will fling open the doors of their hearts and let you heal and consume them as You have consumed me. Thank you, Lord, for coming to earth to teach us as well as save us from ourselves.
In Jesus Name, Amen