Reverence

Reverence

It was time for the annual Passover celebration, and Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; and he saw money changers behind their counters. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and oxen, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables.

John 2:13-15

Reverence isn’t always quiet. Sometimes a display of reverence is rather surprising to those who are watching.

In Old Testament times God instructed the Israelites to bring their best animals for sacrifice. In New Testament times the Temple priests developed a market for sacrificial animals because they knew it was difficult for pilgrims to bring their own animals on the long journey to the Temple. But what began as a local farmer’s market on the way to Jerusalem became a big, dishonest business that took up lots of space on the Temple grounds. With all the hustle and bustle of this dishonest and greedy trade taking place in the Temple, it was difficult to worship, which was what they were all supposed to be doing.

These greedy businessmen were making a mockery of God’s house of worship, and because Jesus was zealous for the reverence of God, he displayed his reverence in a less-than-quiet manner.

He made a whip. This was a deliberate and forceful response.

He drove the money changers away. This was not loss of temper. Jesus’ actions expressed anger, but he was clearly in control.

He said, “Get out of here.” Jesus’ reverence for God prompted him to meet mockery of God with serious consequences.

We often think of reverence as quiet, and many times it is. But there are times in our lives when our reverence for God prompts us to confront mockery of God with deliberate and carefully enforced actions.

Father,

In our parenting and in other areas of our lives, may we be zealous about not wanting to do or give way to anything that would be mockery of you. Amen.