The day after Palm Sunday…
Mark 11:15-18 (NIVUK)
15 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, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 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”.’
18 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.
Jesus was a passionate, emotional, driven person. Emotions are a gift from God, part of how he has made us, what is important is how we use them. Jesus was angry that the Gentiles were being denied access to their part of the Temple, being denied their chance to worship, by it being full of stalls selling animals and changing money so that the Jewish believers could purchase doves for sacrifices and the right money for the temple tax. He used his anger at this oppression and prejudice to drive him to put things right and make a difference.
Thank you for Jesus and others who have not just complained about injustice, but have been prepared to do something about it. Help us to do the same, and to use all our emotions for good.
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