Mark 11

I’ve been seeing a lot memes on social media lately, about Jesus flipping the tables. And I’m so glad that today’s reading falls on it.  Our scripture from Mark today says…

“Jesus went into the Temple Courts, and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers, and the seats of the pigeon-dealers, and would not allow anyone to carry anything across the Temple Courts. Then he began to teach. “Does not scripture say,” he asked, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”

Why was Jesus so upset about this?  The scripture expects that we know and understand some history of that time.

First, they were selling the pigeons to be used as sacrifices and acted as if their pigeons were better, more pure, than pigeons found outside the temple and charged more for them, taking advantage of the poor.  The money changers were there for those traveling for passover to change their foreign currency to that of the Temple currency and their exchanges rates were often inflated, again, taking advantage of the poor.

Secondly, as Jesus says, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”  Those last three words, “all the nations.”  Those are really important words.  The outer temple area where they were set up  wasn’t only for Jews.  It was supposed to be a place where the Gentiles could come to pray and worship as well but the way they were set up, blocked the area where the Gentiles were permitted to worship.  It took over that space.

It blocked people from worship, from prayer in a sacred space and in a way from God.  Seems like it was more gatekeeping. 

Let’s linger here moment.  Jesus is angry because they – the money changers and pigeon sellers, are making it harder for people to worship.  They are placing another barrier and burden on worship.  

When I think on Jesus’ life and teachings, I think of how he reached out to those that were deemed unclean, unworthy, not good enough.  I think about how he shared his message with everyone, anyone who would listen.  He was removing the barriers to God.  Man made barriers in many cases.  

Jesus worked to make God, heaven, and all that goes with them accessible to everyone.  Equity.  

Equity is the quality of being fair and just, especially in a way that takes account of and seeks to address existing inequalities.

Jesus wanted to make the world more fair and just.  He passed this mission on to us, as his followers.  What are we doing today, in this moment to do this?  How are we working to make the world more equitable? 

What can we do?  I’ll list a few of the ways I can think of, but I’d love to hear some of your ideas too!  

We can donate – time, money, food and clothing.

We can speak up!  We can speak out for those who have no voice.  We can write our leaders – church and government leaders alike and encourage them to work towards this as well.  Encourage them to stand up and speak out! 

Whether it’s about feeding the hungry, housing the poor, welcoming the immigrant, voting rights, protecting women and children, we have a voice and Jesus calls us to use it.  How will you use yours this week?

I’d love to hear your ideas.  Feel free to reply to this email and share. 

Until next time…♥️