John 2: 13-16
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
Jesus’ righteous anger in the latter half of John 2 is a clear indication that even good things sometimes spoil. Jesus approaches the temple right before the celebration of the Jewish Passover. This celebration is equal to our Easter. Imagine coming to church right before Easter and all you encounter is salesman after salesman. This is what Jesus encountered. People were selling cattle, sheep and doves. While others were sitting at a table exchanging money. In other words, the banks were there too.
As a pastor, I can only imagine how angry I would be on the morning of Good Friday if I came to the church only to find it full of loan officers and salesman. The question that challenges me the most is this: would I be so mad that I would fashion a makeshift whip out of cords and drive them all out (v. 15)? The answer for me is most definitely, “no I would not.”
Has our Christian culture become too tolerant of people prioritizing money over God? I would not label the selling of goods in the temple as a sin. The sin was in the gouging of people and the focus on money instead focusing on God. This is what drove Jesus to his righteous anger.
Over the last two weeks I have seen a darker side of Christian culture. Many churches and nonprofits are freely giving their online resources to other churches whom do not have the technological capacity. I would be lying, though, if I told you I have not received between ten and twenty high-cost solicitations for online church resources. The story of Jesus today reminds us that in this time of crisis money is not the priority of the church.
Yes, God still expects His people to give during this time. Yes, many churches and non-profits will permanently shut their doors because of this. Yes, the idea of a Christian establishment having to permanently close should break all of our hearts. But no, Christians should not become just another group of people that prioritizes cash flow over human suffering.
This will be a challenge for us. I feel the financial strain as much as the next person, but in times that you feel the temptation to prioritize money read John chapter 2! Go to the life of Jesus and be encouraged to know that YOUR messiah, YOUR brother, and YOUR friend did not tolerate placing money above God. Neither should we. Let’s band together during the coming financial crises and put God first.
Pastor Mat