Read Mark 11:12-19
In the 10 Commandments, in Exodus 20:5, the Lord says “…I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” This sounds odd to modern ears, but the point is clear—God knows who he is, that he is the only one worthy of worship, allegiance, and obedience, so our constant turns toward idolatry are a violation of reality. God isn’t petty to be jealous, he just understands how reality works!
From age twelve, Jesus “had to be in [his] father’s house,” and in a similar way, is jealous against violations of God’s singular holiness. And Jesus is overwhelmed at the corruption, abuse, and swindling taking place in the temple courts. His words capture it well: “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
As Jesus makes his way to the cross, the culmination of this Holy Week, he makes a couple things clear: 1) God’s house is for prayer, not commerce, and certainly not robbery 2) God’s house is for all nations, that Israel is not to erect barriers to the nations coming to the temple courts for prayer.
In Mark’s telling of the gospel story, this was an essential act for Jesus establishing his authority and revealing his character and priorities on the way to the cross.
- How will I elevate God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through my actions today?