Week 3, Day 4
Begin with 2 minutes of silence
Scripture : Luke 2:13-17
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Devotional : Heavenly Sight
by Adri Fonteijn
The prosecutor slowly paced around the room, until he stopped in front of the judge.
"The suspect first assaulted several victims with a homemade weapon." The prosecutor then turned toward the suspect and continued, "He then maliciously destroyed property, while verbally intimidating the victims."
I'm not much of a crime writer, but I wonder if in today's society, Jesus would have had to face a charge like the one above. This passage is so familiar to many of us, that we barely get how uncomfortable Jesus' actions are. Jesus is in the house of God the Father. The leaders in charge of God's house have chosen the love of money over the love of God. This market keeps regular people from worshiping God.
This passage is so familiar to many of us, that we barely get how uncomfortable Jesus' actions are.
The only time Jesus says something in this passage, he turns his anger to the dove sellers. Doves were sold to the people who couldn't afford a larger sacrifice. I wonder if Jesus' anger here was specifically focused on them because they were profiting off the poor.
As I reflect on this text, I realize that I often look at the world through worldly glasses. I value order, safety, lack of conflict... and I don't mind a bit of profit. Jesus, on the other hand, wears heavenly glasses. He is motivated by his desire to give people free access to the God of heaven and earth and he is willing to fight for it.
Question to Consider
Reflect on the last week. Where have you been wearing worldly glasses? How can you choose to wear heavenly glasses this week?
Prayer
Lord God, give me your eyes to see. Help me to choose what is good over what gives instant gratification. And when I see wrongs around me, give me the boldness to stand up, speak out and act. May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Close with 2 minutes of silence.