Scriptures: Jeremiah 7:9-11 (NIV) – “Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, ‘We are safe’ – safe to do all these detestable things?  Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you?  But I have been watching! declares the Lord.”

Isaiah 56:7b-c (NIV) – “Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

Mark 11:15-19 (NIV) – “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.”’  The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.  When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.”

Message: From Solomon’s time (circa 950BC), the Temple and shrines in Israel had been used for immoral purposes.  King Josiah, who reigned from 648BC, took up this issue and banned all sacrifices at locations outside of the Temple in Jerusalem, so people had to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem to offer their sacrifices. 

After Josiah’s death, the Temple reverted to its immoral practices; hence the words from Jeremiah.  The quote from Isaiah was likely written after 520BC when King Cyrus of Persia released the Hebrew exiles in Babylon with instructions to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. 

In driving out money changers and merchandisers Jesus was ridding the Temple of those who cheated and used the Temple for immoral purposes, and no doubt paid commission to those in authority.

The Disciples were likely confused and concerned about the response to Jesus’ action by the chief priests and the teachers of the law, especially after the triumphant entry into Jerusalem one or two days earlier. 

Prayer: Father, it is easy for us to understand the immorality of those running the Temple, yet how often do we reflect on our own words and actions acknowledging that there are times when we denigrate Your Holy Name and the actions of others.  Forgive us when we are unworthy.  Amen.