Word@Work Luke292 - Luke 19:45-48
Published: Mon, 02/14/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
RELIGIOUS MASKS
Luke 19:45-48 Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. "It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be a house of prayer'; but you have made it 'a den of robbers'." Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words. (NIV)
The temple in Jerusalem, which was consecrated to the Lord, had attracted all sorts of businesses who traded profitably rather like the shrine shops in pagan temples. In some way it seemed legitimate and practical: worshippers travelling a long way would prefer to buy an animal or bird for sacrifice in Jerusalem rather than carry or drive it from their home village. But, when they arrived at the outer court of the temple (the Court of the Gentiles), where these animals were being traded, no coin with an image of a foreign ruler or pagan god on it would be accepted, only Jewish Temple Money. And so a whole 'bureau de change' industry developed with money changers extorting high commission rates. They also sold the half shekel coin which every adult male worshipper had to give as an offering to the temple treasury.
Jesus was furious; physically overturning the money brokers' tables and scattering their coins. He was indignant that the place which had been consecrated to the glory and worship of God should tolerate the immoral 'service charges' of the money changers and the self-interest of the animal traders. They were using God's house as a mask to cover their greed and the holy sacrifices as a veneer of respectability over their lust for money. And, at the other end of the religious spectrum, the chief priests and rabbis were plotting to kill Jesus, although ordinary people thought that every word from Jesus was priceless. What a mess when holy things become business commodities and supposedly holy people hate the Holy One from God!
It still happens today. Religion is easily hijacked by those who want to take advantage of people's devotion and generosity. It is still a temptation for some to use the church or a ministry to get wealth, power or influence. They think that believers can be coerced into giving them money, or that they can trade under a religious banner claiming that the 'worker is worthy of his hire'. Whatever their motives, and however they mask their greed, one thing is clear: they are not listening to Jesus, and have little appetite to hang on His words. If you are like that, repent today! It makes God angry. Then learn to accept God's Word as a message for yourself, and submit to it. As you do, you will discover that wholesome worship is an antidote to greed and you will start to experience the confidence of knowing that God will provide for all your needs (Philippians 4:19).
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You that You know all my thoughts and motives, and are fully aware when I fall to temptation. Please forgive me when I have used a religious or spiritual mask to cover up my quest for personal satisfaction. Please help me to trust You fully for my finances and my future, and may I learn to worship You without anything else getting in the way. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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The temple in Jerusalem, which was consecrated to the Lord, had attracted all sorts of businesses who traded profitably rather like the shrine shops in pagan temples. In some way it seemed legitimate and practical: worshippers travelling a long way would prefer to buy an animal or bird for sacrifice in Jerusalem rather than carry or drive it from their home village. But, when they arrived at the outer court of the temple (the Court of the Gentiles), where these animals were being traded, no coin with an image of a foreign ruler or pagan god on it would be accepted, only Jewish Temple Money. And so a whole 'bureau de change' industry developed with money changers extorting high commission rates. They also sold the half shekel coin which every adult male worshipper had to give as an offering to the temple treasury.
Jesus was furious; physically overturning the money brokers' tables and scattering their coins. He was indignant that the place which had been consecrated to the glory and worship of God should tolerate the immoral 'service charges' of the money changers and the self-interest of the animal traders. They were using God's house as a mask to cover their greed and the holy sacrifices as a veneer of respectability over their lust for money. And, at the other end of the religious spectrum, the chief priests and rabbis were plotting to kill Jesus, although ordinary people thought that every word from Jesus was priceless. What a mess when holy things become business commodities and supposedly holy people hate the Holy One from God!
It still happens today. Religion is easily hijacked by those who want to take advantage of people's devotion and generosity. It is still a temptation for some to use the church or a ministry to get wealth, power or influence. They think that believers can be coerced into giving them money, or that they can trade under a religious banner claiming that the 'worker is worthy of his hire'. Whatever their motives, and however they mask their greed, one thing is clear: they are not listening to Jesus, and have little appetite to hang on His words. If you are like that, repent today! It makes God angry. Then learn to accept God's Word as a message for yourself, and submit to it. As you do, you will discover that wholesome worship is an antidote to greed and you will start to experience the confidence of knowing that God will provide for all your needs (Philippians 4:19).
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You that You know all my thoughts and motives, and are fully aware when I fall to temptation. Please forgive me when I have used a religious or spiritual mask to cover up my quest for personal satisfaction. Please help me to trust You fully for my finances and my future, and may I learn to worship You without anything else getting in the way. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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