On his second day in Jerusalem, Jesus interferes with Temple business. Remember, this is the Jews' only Temple, so a great crowd of visitors is in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, commemorating the Israelites' freedom from Egypt. The Roman Antonia Fortress, filled with soldiers, looms over the holy site, a constant reminder that Israel is now subject to another foreign power.
Remember the prohibition against graven images. Coins with Caesar's image cannot be associated with Temple sacrifices and must be exchanged for image-less Jewish coins. Jesus totally disrupts the Temple business of preparing sacrifices for Passover by overturning the money-changing tables. Later anti-Semitic Christians will interpret his scathing accusation about making God's house a "den of robbers" as condemnation of the Temple itself. But Jesus has a Jewish message, and close reading of the Bible reveals that he refers to God's care for helpless aliens, orphans and widows, quoting God in Jeremiah 7:11: "Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your sight?" The operative word is den (spēlaion, hideaway.) Jesus' quarrel is not with religion, but with the Temple as a place to hide collaboration with Roman oppressors instead doing the justice demanded by God. Another challenge to the powerful.

Lenten Devotions
March 29, 2021