[13 ] The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [14 ] In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. [15 ] And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. [16 ] And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” [17 ] His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
I wonder what Jesus would do if he walked into some of the churches on the Gulf Coast today.
I know how angry and disappointed I get with them and all of the man-centered preaching and teaching that goes on, but those feelings are still tinged with pride and sin. Here Jesus shows a pure and Holy anger. It strikes fear into me to imagine being in that temple that day. Just to catch a glimpse of the pure and just anger of God.
It's not that the money changers or the people who selling animals for the sacrifice were doing anything wrong in and of itself, but it was where they were doing it, or as RC Sproul puts it "Legitimate Activities, Inappropriate Place." What about us? Do we bring activities into the church that shouldn't be there? Do we turn the focus from hearing God through the preaching of His word onto other things that are more pleasent for us to hear?
Can you imagine coming into your church only to be bombarded by tons of things that steal your attention away from worshiping God?
Can you imagine if there were all sorts of things for your convenience located in the church so that you could focus on your comfort instead of worshiping God?
Can you Imagine if there were pep talks to make you feel good instead of sermons on the Scriptures?
Can you imagine if church was centered on the man instead of on the man's creator and the one who has saved Him from the judgment to come?
Can you imagine if the credit for your salvation was taken from God and given to man?
Do you think God would be angry?
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