August 10, 2022 - 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.’” Mark 11:15-17 NIV

Lord, I have read this many times and believed you were angered about their marketing within the temple, but I am starting to understand it was about much more. They were doing this in the Court of the Gentiles - an area you had designated for foreigners to come to seek and worship you. Your heart has always been for all nations to know you. The Israelites were supposed to be an example and lead the rest of the world to you. Yet again, they had lost sight of your calling. They had become so inwardly focused, thinking they were the chosen people and everyone else was an outcast. Gentiles were not welcome in Jerusalem, much less the temple. So, they took over that area as a place to profit for themselves, instead of inviting others into the blessing. Your anger was about the bigger issue that they were stealing what you had designed for them to give away, then using that to profit even more.

Lord, how often do we do this same type thing in our own lives? You have blessed us with so much, but for what purpose? How much of what you have given us do we share with others, or do we use most of it for our own profit? Not just our money, but our talents, knowledge, resources, everything you have given us. It is not for us alone. You have blessed us so that we can draw the lost to you. Forgive us for stealing what you designed for us to give away. Open our eyes to what we need to change and show us how to do so.

In Jesus name, amen.