I have a bad habit of assuming certain Bible verses don’t apply to me.
Take the story we read this week, for instance, about the day Jesus cleared the Temple of the merchants and money changers. First of all, the scene itself is difficult to picture. Jesus, whom I typically think of as even-tempered and mild, fashions a whip – a whip! – out of rope and uses it to chase the transgressors out of the building. He scatters the coins onto the floor and then, consumed with anger and disgust, he turns over the tables, one after the other. This is a side of Jesus we haven’t seen before and won’t see again in all of Scripture. This is a side of Jesus I don’t want to mess with.
So what’s my reaction to these verses? “Whew!” I say to myself. “Glad I’m not as bad as the money changers! Glad I’m not the one abusing God’s Temple.”
Every time I’ve read this passage in the last three years, this has been my response. I assume because I’m not selling goats in the church lobby that I’m okay, I’m good – these verses don’t apply to me. But this week when I read this story, I discovered something I’ve never seen before in the verses that immediately follow the scene in the temple:
“Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like.” (John 2:23-24)
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that these two verses immediately follow the scene in the Temple.
Suddenly this story wasn’t only about the merchants and the money changers, it was about all of humankind. Suddenly I knew this story was about me.
The truth is, my inclination, my human nature, is to put material concerns – wealth, status, achievement, recognition – ahead of God. I do it time and time again. When I covet someone else’s house, I put money before God. When I yearn for someone else’s position, I put status before God. When I desire more blog readers and a bigger platform, I put achievement and recognition before God. I struggle with my priorities. I struggle to put God first.
Jesus was angry with the merchants and money changers because they dishonored his Father’s house. But on a deeper level, he was angry with them because their motives, actions and priorities dishonored God himself. They put worldly concerns – wealth, status and recognition – ahead of God, and that, I know, is something I’m guilty of, too.
Questions for Reflection:
What do you put ahead of God? Can you think of how you might better arrange your priorities so that God comes first?
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This is helpful, Michelle. No matter how familiar we are with the Bible, Jesus still has more to teach us. Thanks for this.
Dear Michelle
I think that what made Jesus the angriest on that day, is the fact that the religionists were putting great monetary stumbling blocks in the way of the poor people and gave the wrong idea that you need to buy your place into God’s favor when God wants our hearts and love above all. Jesus desired above all that our hearts would be a temple where we continuously commune and talk to Him. Yes, dear friend, humans are all the same as far as these things do. Paul told us that the whole world lies in the evil one.
Blessings XX
Mia
I still struggle with issues of achievement and recognition. And I am convicted by the truth that you have shared today – yes, those are *idols* that place me directly in the camp of the money changers.
The very recent passing of my father is making me ponder many things. And one of them is this – JOY is found in Jesus, Only You. And the quicker I place (or re-place) my focus on Him, the faster He will bring me into His peace and comfort and yes, His joy.
GOD BLESS!
I have to say I do put God first in my life. This is in large part thanks to the women’s Bible studies at my Church, especially one by Cynthia Heald called Becoming a Woman of Simplicity. I have had to rearrange and re-prioritize everything in order to devote myself to Christ more fully. My children come second to Him. There is a steep earthly cost to living this way, which Christ promises in the Bible. He is worth it, however.
P.S. Attempted to comment on 2 different blogs linked here but they required a log in and I gave up.
“Glad I’m not the one abusing God’s Temple.”
Oh, I saw something coming as soon as I read that. 🙂 My first thought went to my body, that temple of God, and how I abuse it with all the junk food I eat. Thankful for verses that apply and for a fresh start every day. (Where’s a banana when I need one?)
What do I sometimes put before God? Perhaps the better question is what do I not put before God. SIGH. Although I am in ministry, and I love Jesus like crazy, my yucky sinful self continues to crop up every now and then… I get focused on my family or writing or even working out. Fortunately, it doesn’t take me long to feel God tapping me on the shoulder bringing me back around to focusing on Him.
Thanks for this reminder, Michelle. You are doing great work here. Keep it up!
What a good reminder. Love this new insight. I am helping with some Lenten reflections for the church this year and you have given me a new perspective on this verse. appreciate you so much!!
Oh, I don’t want to think about the times I put something ahead of God! I think it is so easy to gloss over stories (especially ones about the Pharisees) and pretend they don’t apply to us. It takes real courage to see ourselves in Jesus’ warnings. Great reminder and encouragement to do so, Michelle!
“Suddenly this story wasn’t only about the merchants and the money changers, it was about all of humankind. Suddenly I knew this story was about me.”
Oh my…I am so right with you. I often skim thinking, “I do not need this part…Oh, I would have been so much better” and my pride blinds me to the lesson that God wants to reveal to me. Thank you for this. I am with those money men in putting other things before Christ more often than I am sure I even realize. Thank you for this. I plan on linking up to this community with a post to come! What a beautiful community!
I always appreciate your honest insight, Michelle. How many YEARS did I read various scripture looking down my nose at the people in the stories, patting myself on the back for not being as_________ as they were. God help me, I have lived almost my entire life swaddled in my pharisaical robes. It breaks my own heart to think of how I have lived. Grateful for the way Jesus humbles me, for all the ways he reveals the depths of my own issues, and how the scriptures I thought pertained the least to me, are actually the ones I most needed to hear. Ouch.
Guilty as charged! God is helping me through my writing to continually focus upon Him and His great love for me, for all of us, but, we are still human, nonetheless. What struck me most about your reflection here is that, after all this mess Jesus sees and attends to, He still chose to go the cross and save this wretched humanity once and for all. Amazing . . . awesome . . . wonderful . . .
Blessings, Michelle!
Again Michelle, I stand convicted by your Monday post. I’m so glad you call things straight! What am I presently putting before God? This laptop. First thing I open in the morning, as opposed to opening my Bible. Often spend 3 or more hours on here, almost daily!
And, who do I look to as Provider and Sustainer? My husband. Often panic when I think of life without him.
Obviously, I need to make some serious changes, yet in my flesh, I am certainly weak.
Very good words today, Jennifer. Thank you.
Yep. This is me. Reading the bible, and checking off my list: “I’m not as bad as that woman! Whew!” I take the promises and hoard them for myself. All the verses about how God will get me out the holes I dig for myself? Yes, please! But leave the rest for the people who really need them. I think we’re all like that. We just need someone like you to call us on it. Thanks for that.
Ouch! This is convicting. I think I put myself first way too often.
I’m not sure if this makes sense, but I find that I often put my family (my husband and son) before God. They are so very important to me, that I can’t imagine life without them. But, I know that God wants us to put even our loved ones below Him in our lives. That’s a real hard one for me. I pray that I’ll never have to literally choose between God or family, but if I do, I hope that I would have the strength and commitment to put God first. (I’m reminded of the story of Abraham and Isaac) Thanks for sharing and hosting your link-up.
Blessings, Ann
I totally know what you mean, Ann. One time my young son Rowan asked what I would do if God asked me to sacrifice him. I said, “I wouldn’t obey!” I felt guilty – disobeying God and all — but it was the truth! It’s a real struggle…
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