Tuesday, March 20, 2001
Tuesday, March 20, 2001
He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop
making my Father's house a marketplace!"
Read the Gospels and you will find Jesus stilling a violent storm, healing a sick maiden, helping a
man filled with demons, giving the gift of hearing and the gift of sight to those without, listening
to the plea of a foreign woman, using his hands to welcome and bless children. We like the
picture so far. Then suddenly we come to today's lesson and we see a complete ABOUT-FACE:
we see Jesus literally throwing people out of the Temple, scattering coins, overturning tables. He
even has a weapon--a whipcord. He's using it to drive sheep and cattle and moneychangers out of
the temple yard. He's screaming at people selling doves, "Get these out of here! How dare you
turn my Father's house into a market!" This is not the image of Jesus we love. What got into him
this particular day? What caused him to lose his cool? Jesus simply wanted the people to truly
honor God.
(John 2:16
NRSV)
A law was passed in Kentucky in July 1998 that makes it permissible for a pastor in that state to
carry a concealed weapon in church if he or she has a permit. Jesus, obviously, never carried a
gun. He was the gentlest, kindest man who ever lived. Most of the time.
God of peace, fill me with peace and take away my faithlessness. Amen.
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