“What a friend we have in Jesus…” doesn't
harmonize very well with John’s whip wielding, table tipping, Jesus gone wild. But
then this temple tantrum is about more than just bake sales and Starbucks in
the narthex. In three and a half years Jesus has had plenty of reasons to react
with all consuming zeal towards those who opposed his message but other than some
name calling, “you brood of vipers” Jesus has shown great restraint. Even on
the cross, where you or I might be tempted to cuss, Jesus forgives. So why does
Jesus call out the dove sellers and go ballistic in the temple mall? “Zeal for
your house will consume me” is what the disciples remember later but in the
heat of the moment I imagine even some of his followers might have thought he
went too far. The temple sacrifices prescribed by law were about appeasing the
jealous God “who visits punishment on the children for the sins of the parents”
by obeying the God who shows steadfast love towards the generations that keep
the commandments. But Jesus objects to the house’s profit margin and not just because
his Father holds the mortgage. No. This is about a human institution
masquerading as a holy one and making monetary demands in the name of God.
“Stop bringing me meaningless sacrifices” is how God speaks about the system
through the prophet Isaiah. “Love justice, act with kindness, walk humbly with
your God” is what God requires according to Micah. In the end it will be the
human house that consumes Jesus with blood thirsty zeal. “Crucify!” What they
couldn't see coming was that consuming Jesus on the cross would be the way God
would make all our houses holy.
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