Lent: Week Three

Jesus Clears the Temple Courts

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Have you ever thought about your image of Jesus? What he looks like? How he speaks? How he acts? Is he meek and mild? Does he have a beard? Long curly hair? What color is it? Is he soft spoken? Does the Jesus you know act like what you read above?

There is this great scene in CS Lewis' the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, where Lucy is talking with Mr. & Mrs. Beaver about Aslan, the Christlike Lion figure of the series. Lucy asks the question if Aslan is safe, to which Mr. Beaver responds, "Safe? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he is good."

I don't know why or where over the years of American Christianity we began to believe in meek and mild Jesus. The God of all creation, the God who speaks in the fire of a burning bush, who's voice crashes like thunder, who strikes fear in the hearts of those who dare incur his wrath, this is the same God who came in the form of the man named Jesus the Christ.

But, just because he is the God I mentioned above, that doesn't mean he isn't compassionate.

He is fair.

He is just.

He is God.

Let us Pray

God of us all, we thank you for your Holy Justice. We have often failed to treat your house with respect and the honor it deserves. Help us to remember that you are God; that in your anger you are just, but that in your love, you are compassionate, and that ultimately, you are GOOD.

We love you, Father,

In Jesus' name.
Amen.