Jesus saw knew that the business transactions in the temple violated any idea of holiness and worship. Manipulating the process to worship for financial gain was corrupt and needed to be eliminated. Could the same concept be happening today? Manipulating relationships within the church or between like minded believers for personal gain could destroy what is true and above reproach. Duplicity of behavior is easy to do but difficult to stop in a group think culture. May you and I carefully apply the wisdom of Jksmlresence as we make decisions.
“To be formed in Christ is to be unformed by culture. This undoing is painful: it undoes our idols, our defenses, our loves, our ambitions, our pride, our myths. But in that undoing, the truth of God’s love is born.” - Graham Joseph Hill
“Jesus targeted these corrupt practices by driving out those who were buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and those selling doves (Mark 11:15). He took charge of the temple, forbidding people to carry anything through the temple court. The only activities he allowed were worship and prayer.
He explained his actions by quoting the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. Isaiah wrote, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations” (Mark 11:17, Isaiah 56:7). The temple was a place to meet God, to commune with God, to pray. ” - Excerpt, Following Jesus: Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark by Steve Langford
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