“Make God’s House A House Of Prayer…!”

“Make God’s House A House Of Prayer…!”
The financial transactions that were carried out within the temple precints was “a necessary evil.” Those who came from far distances to the “Passover Feast needed animals that met ritual requirements for sacrifice.” They could not bring such animals from their homes. The same applied to those who needed doves for the purification of women.
The Jews may have been a subjugated people, but they had the freedom to use their local currency. Those who came on pilgrimage had to change their currencies into local currency. So to say, the services of the Forex Bureau operators was a necessity.
The temple area where all these transactions were being done was the court of the Gentiles, where Gentiles could pray and worship God. But the noise generated by the hustling and bustling of bargainings made the place rowdy, such that there could be no meditative concentration.
To deprive the Gentiles of devotional time in the house of God was a contradiction to the assurance which God had given that his house will be called “a house of prayer for all nations”(Is.56:6-7).
Jesus knew the importance of the ongoing transactions but it’s abuse is what angered him.Something useful was being misused as an excuse and this became an abuse!
Jesus did not drive out only the business people. He drove out “those who were buying and selling there.” Buyers were as guilty as the sellers! Like we said above, something useful can be made useless through misuse and this becomes an abuse.
Ritual cleansing and purification may be necessary in the house of God, but this should not supersede prayer and worship. Prayer and worship is central, not rituals! Unfortunately just like in the days of old, anyone who dares to initiate such a cleansing like Jesus did will have the chief priests and teachers of the law “looking for a way to kill him.”
The house of God should be a house of prayer where people of all nations can comfortably pray to God. The house of God should not be “a den of robbers!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ guide me so that I do not abuse what is useful through misuse. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang