Mark 11:12-18

Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there.

He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.

And as he taught them, he said,” Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of robbers’.”

The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the crowd was amazed at his teaching.

(See also Matthew 21:12-15; Luke 19:45-48)

The temple area was always crowded during Passover with thousands of out-of-town visitors. The religious leaders crowded it further by allowing money changers and merchants to set up booths in the court of the Gentiles.

The temple tax had to be paid in local currency but the money changers would charge exorbitant exchange rates. As they had travelled vast distances many people had to buy their animals for sacrifices in the temple area where prices were higher than elsewhere.

Jesus was angry at the dishonest, greedy practices of the money changers and merchants who exploited those who had come to God’s house to worship.

They were making a mockery of God’s house of worship.

Reflection

He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves …

Is there anything you do or say that might prevent others from coming to worship God?
Is there anything you do or think that prevents you from worshipping wholeheartedly?
Is there anything about which you are angry about, that you need to give to Jesus rather than harbouring it?
Is there anything else which needs liberating from your life?

‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’

Pray for The Chapel of The Holy Spirit (and/or your own church) to be a house of prayer for all.
Pray for injustices that you are aware of in your community, city, nation, other nations.