FOCUS: On the sacred celebration

Monday’s Reading: Matthew 21:12-22, Mark 11:12-19, Luke 19:45-46, Luke 21:37-38

“Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21:12-13

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Just as I started typing this post Jeff came into the office holding a box. “It came!” He announced, grinning ear to ear. I lit up. “Oh yay! That deserves a writing break.” I slid the computer off my lap and opened the box, pulling out the new garment and admiring the vibrant blue color. We’d received a coupon and a dividend, and Jeff insisted we use it on a special treat for me: a cozy fleece North Face sweatshirt.  I immediately tried it on and admired the great fit. Although I hate shopping, I had to admit, It is kind of fun to get new stuff.  You know the feeling, right? There’s this slight thrill that runs through your body, a rush that brightens your mood, makes you feel more motivated, more confident.

I glanced once last time in the mirror. I did look pretty cute in the new sweatshirt.

I walked into the office and slide the computer back on my lap to finish this post. Then it occurred to me what the topic for today just happened to be.

Funny.

See, on Monday Jesus arrived in Jerusalem and entered the temple. It is not a sweet and peaceful scene. This is kind of a scary one. Jesus only loses His cool one time in Scripture and this is the time. Even when He’s beaten, scourged, and hung on a cross He is in complete composure, but this, this scene in the temple sets Him off, holy anger consumes Him and He’s enraged, overturning tables and chairs, driving out the peddlers, refusing to let anyone carry anything through the temple. Why? Because, as He said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.” God intended the temple to be a sacred place where man and God commune, but people had turned a holy ritual it into a money-making venture. 

I’ll say it again: They had turned a holy ritual into a money-making venture. 

I’m mostly going to let this application speak for itself. When we look to Jesus we see Him ticked off about letting sacred celebrations turn into crass commercialism, turn into a money-changing event.

I know that sweet little thrill of buying new stuff. (Hello, I’m wearing my new sweatshirt as I type these words.) But we must be mindful of this lure and continually look to Jesus who brings focus to our lives.

Again, this isn’t about a boycott on bunnies, it’s simply a call to:

FOCUS on the sacred celebration, not the Easter items to buy. 

Reflection for today: What material items are most important to you during this season? Is there anything perhaps you could go without this year, for the same of simplifying and keeping the focus on the sacred celebration? Not saying every purchase is forbidden, but consider which purchases are really necessary to help your family FOCUS on Christ. Thanks for reading.