Non-Jewish visitors to the Jerusalem Temple were permitted to worship within an area known as “The Court of the Gentiles” but were forbidden access into the inner courts beyond it. To drive home this point, a sign hung upon the balustrade which separated the Court of the Gentiles from the rest of the Temple which stated any Gentile who went beyond that point would be punished by death.

It was the only place where a Gentile could worship in the Temple.

Jesus’ “cleansing of the Temple” of the moneychangers and merchants is extremely confronting. He tips tables upside down, throws out the retailers, and physically prevents others from entering to sell their merchandise.

Given Jesus’ actions, does it surprise you to learn that the moneychangers and merchants were allowed to be there? Worshipers at the Temple came from all over Judea and Galilee, and it wasn’t practical to travel over a long distance with the animal you intended to offer as a sacrifice. Thus, provision was made for worshipers to purchase their sacrifice upon arrival at the Temple or exchange their money into acceptable coinage.

What was a practical solution for worshipers unfortunately became an opportunity for unscrupulous people to benefit financially from these transactions, including the Temple priests and High Priest!

It’s easy to understand then why Jesus would become so angry at people ripping off worshipers in the very place that was designated a “house of prayer.”

But there is an even deeper reason for His anger. The place where this marketplace was set up was in the Court of the Gentiles.

The one place – the only place – where a Gentile could freely worship the God of Israel had been turned into “a den of thieves.” Instead of fulfilling its purpose as a place of prayer for all the nations of the world, it had become a place where profit was put before people.

The Temple was destroyed in 70AD but in just a few days from Jesus’ cleansing of it, the “temple” of His body would be destroyed.

Three days later His “temple” was raised, becoming a source of healing and hope for “all the nations” and changing the world forever.

Today’s Bible reading: Mark 11:19-26