Overturning Tables

 And Jesus went into the Temple and sent out all who were trading there, overturning the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those trading in doves. 13 And he said to them, it is in the Writings, My house is to be named a house of prayer, but you are making it a hole of thieves. Matthew 21:13......"Jesus will zealously pursue communion with us even if it means overturning some tables."

Chris Tiegreen

It's easy to read this Scripture passage and assume that Jesus was most offended by the presence of the moneychangers and salespeople at work in the Temple. To a degree, He was, but it goes far deeper than what most of us know, and more, want to know.

I remember early on in my walk, and in memory of this verse, being offended when I saw a lady giving a product to another and receiving payment for it, all in the church sanctuary. I made it about the sacredness of His sanctuary, but Jesus didn't. He said that "My house shall be a house of prayer." In His Word, the Temple, or a church, was never seen as His house, though it has become common to refer to them as such. His "house" is our heart. The presence of all the commercial representatives was an offense to Him, but how much more is the presence of all the different types of "moneychangers" that we have given permission to set up their "tables" in our hearts? Jesus said that these men had made His Temple a "den of thieves." What are the thieves that we've permitted to have a presence in our hearts, that are a deep offense to Him, and a great destruction to us? That steal our love for Him? He made a rope whip, and in His zeal, drove them out, overturning tables in the process. He had no problem doing that. We don't either, when we simply think in terms of the local church sanctuary. How about when it comes to our own hearts, and the illicit business we tend to conduct there?

We can take great pains in setting up tables in our hearts whose presence grieves Him. We can come up with a multitude of legitimate reasons for them being there. Surely the Temple officials had. Most people who came to the Temple to worship and offer a sacrifice came a great distance to do so. It was an endeavor to bring their families, adding a number of animals for sacrifice would have increased the burden. Having them available on site would ease that burden. It would make all of it easier and more convenient. What could be the problem with that? This is how sin usually develops in our lives. We think of something we know is likely not right but come up with so many reasons as to why it can be a good thing, and how He must understand that is it and it is helpful to us. Compromise begins here and soon; we have a heart full of "moneychangers and their tables." And our communion with Him, most precious of all, is obstructed, even cut off. Only by wielding His "rope chord" and overturning those tables can He cleanse our defiled hearts and bring us fully back to Himself.

What Jesus did that day had to have been an amazing sight to His disciples and all who looked on. He was on fire with righteous anger. Moneychangers and their wares have no place in His house, our heart. He will do whatever He must to cleanse our hearts of them. He'll leave no table unturned. As He gazes upon our hearts today, what does He look upon? What are our tables? How many offensive wares have we piled upon them? Nothing matters more to Him than the condition of our heart. As He looks at ours, yours and mine, is He even now making His rope of chords? May every invasive table and ware in our hearts be cleansed so that once again, they can be a fit dwelling place for the Holy One of God.

Blessings,

Pastor O