Matthew 21:12-15  
Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” 

The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” 

But the leaders were indignant. (NLT)

—

Religion for fun and profit is always a bad idea. This kind of religion does not honor God, nor does it serve others. 

We see this idea in 2 Kings 5 in the story of Elisha and Naaman. Gehazi, Elisha’s assistant, decided to get some of the loot Elisha turned down. He also got the disease that Naaman was freed from when he followed Elisha’s instructions. That should probably be a lesson or something.

The next time you hear a preacher, a prophet, or a popular teacher of some sort say that God wants to make you rich, clutch your wallet or purse as tightly as you know how. If he says something like, “Give me $1,000 and God will give you $10,000,” write him a note and tell him you believe in the principle. If he sends you the $1,000, then he can keep the $10,000.

The temple courts were arranged so that everyone from everywhere could draw near to God. However, on the day Jesus arrived there to change the lives of many, he could not provide works of mercy and compassion because of the carnival atmosphere. People were making handsome profits selling sacrificial animals. 

This was wrong on several levels. Most importantly, it prevented people from focusing on God in the place where they came to meet him. It’s hard to pray while donkeys bray and sheep eat hay. Certain odors should not waft through a crowd of worshipers. 

Jesus solved the problem by driving the carnival off the grounds. We typically end the story there. Notice what happened when the temple courts grew more peaceful and purposeful. 

The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” 

Jesus healed the blind and the lame. Children sang God’s praises. There was a complete absence of coins clanking and profiteers banking. Those who could not have entered even farther into the temple courts due to their physical conditions and the ordinances regarding who could go where were suddenly unleashed to draw as near as possible to the inner courts of God’s presence.

Some people want carnivals and pony rides every day. They don’t care if they are in other people’s way. Jesus wants everyone to be able to pray and shout God’s praise. 

Never ever get between Jesus and those he wants to receive, love, heal, and restore. This is what places of worship are for. 

—

I will shout with the children and sing with the adults as Jesus receives, loves, heals, and restores those he came to save. 

—

Our Father, clear out the clutter of our lives that prevents us from hearing your voice and joining you in building a better world. Help us focus on what you are saying, on what you are doing, and to join you as you invite us into an ever-deeper relationship with you. Amen.