Isn’t Anything Sacred Any Longer?

“And when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house an house of merchandise.”  John 2:15-16

This incident occurred after the wedding at Cana where Jesus made water into wine (John 2:1-11).  Afterwards, He, His mother, and His disciples went to Capernaum for a while, but then went on to Jerusalem in time for Passover.  This was also not long after Jesus had chosen His disciples and began His earthly ministry.  When they arrived at the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus witnessed a group of men called “moneychangers” in the temple.  They were selling animals to be used for sacrifice.  Tradition has it that these unscrupulous men were attempting to convince ordinary folks that the offerings that they had brought were inferior, and that they needed to buy these “better” animals to sacrifice.  Most of the loyal Jews would certainly not desire to offer an unsatisfactory animal in the worship of the LORD God, thus these moneychangers were likely making a sizeable profit.  We would call them “scam artists” today.  However, if these worshippers were bringing the best that they possessed, then I am sure that God would have accepted their offerings.  God did set specific criteria for the animals to offer as sacrifice, but His main concern was that the people were obedient and would bring the best they had to offer.  Not everyone had sheep and oxen, but only small offerings like doves.  God looks on the heart, not on the bank account.

Jesus became noticeably angry.  Actually we would call it “righteous indignation”.  He saw that these “snake oil salesmen” were making a mockery of not only the offerings that the people brought, but of the temple itself.  It was not a marketplace, a restaurant, or an entertainment center.  It was His Father’s house, a sacred and holy place in which the people were to worship in spirit and in truth and to bring the required sacrifices which were the temporary measure to be at peace with God, and as an act of obedience and service.  Remember, this was prior to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.  In His anger, He made a whip of small cords and drove the moneychangers from the temple.  I can picture this in my mind’s eye as Jesus swung the whip around and thrashed it toward those crooks.  I believe that He did not hit any of them nor any of the sheep and oxen with the whip, but His passion for the holiness of the temple convinced these sellers that they better get out of there as quickly as possible.  I can also see Him tossing the tables over with coins being scattered all over the floor.  Jesus was very adamant when He told them to take their animals and leave.  His Father’s house was not a house of merchandise.

Fast forward to today.  I have seen things in churches which bring to mind this incident.  I can remember many years ago, a gospel quartet came to sing at the church in which I grew up.  They brought their record albums to sell, but they weren’t allowed to bring them inside the church.  Instead, they set up their display on the front porch of the church.  That was the first time that I had ever seen anyone attempt to sell something at church.  I don’t know if they sold any of their albums.  I sort of doubt it since we were not used to buying things at church.  Today is a different story.  I have been in attendance when a visiting preacher came, and after he finished his sermon, he got out his books to sell, promoting them from the pulpit.  “Just for you folks today, if you buy two books, I will throw in the third one for free.”  Sometimes Christian ministries would set up tables out in the foyer to sell CDs, books, t shirts, etc. in order to raise funds for their ministry, a good reason, I suppose, but the moneychangers probably thought they were promoting the worship and service of the LORD as well.  I can’t say whether these ministries are right or wrong to sell their wares at church, but that phrase “house of merchandise” always comes to mind when I see their displays.   I realize that a church filled with believers would be the most profitable place to raise funds because the world is certainly not interested in what they have to sell.

There is another thing which bothers me that is allowed in some sanctuaries.  I have been in a church where coffee was served.  It was set up in an area where there were tables and chairs for folks to relax, chat, and drink their coffee.  However, some folks brought their coffee into the sanctuary to drink during the service.  They looked more like they were coming in to watch a movie or some other form of entertainment.  What were the chances that someone would spill coffee on the carpet?  Better than average, I suppose.  And don’t get me started about how people dress for worship services.  Clean, casual clothes are OK, but please, no cleavage, exposed belly buttons, thigh high skirts, tight fitting or low slung jeans.  And hats?  Whoever changed the rule about men wearing hats indoors?  Paul even made mention of that in I Corinthians 11:4 when he wrote that a man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors Christ who is the Head of every man.  These aren’t just kids, but adults who should know better.  Call me judgmental if you wish, but God’s house should be respected and appreciated for the sacred place that it is.

How one dresses, presents oneself, and behaves in God’s house is a telltale sign of one’s attitude concerning worship.  Jesus’ disciples remembered what King David had written in Psalm 69:9, “The zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up…”  In other words, King David had a love and respect for God’s house like no other.  I wonder what he would say if he could see what has been allowed in God’s house today.