Scripture: Mark 11: 15-17
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “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.’”
Scripture Commentary: God says that his house is a house of prayer for all nations.
How would Jesus react if he walked into his father’s house today? Would he find a house of prayer or a den of thieves? Is the work of our God the focus in our places of worship? Or, are we more concerned with how much money we raise?
Using the church setting as a business draws in more money than it does people.
The purpose of the church, of having a space to come together with fellow Christians and worship our Lord, is to cultivate community and bring in nonbelievers to teach them God’s Word. As instruments in God’s kingdom, we are to bring people to the Lord, to his salvation and mercy.
In these verses, Mark tells the reaction Jesus had when he entered his Father’s house of worship. The question now is would Jesus react the same way today? Are we in a store selling earthy objects or are we engaged in worship in God’s house?
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