Zeal

The section of Jesus' holy week before me today is one that seems to trouble people. I have read people's thoughts about disbelieving that Jesus would do such a thing as flip over tables, or use a whip made from cords (present in John's account). I have no such doubt. This is the Jesus I know.

He uses the whip to drive out the animals, and flips over the moneychangers' tables to show that the greed they demonstrated was disdainful. I have no problem reading that he would take the purity of God's very seriously, and that he would make a scene to prove a point, and to communicate to future temple-goers where he stood on this issue. Sure, Jesus is gentle enough to care for the little children. But he also came not to bring peace, but a sword.

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those 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 whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. -Mark 11:15-18

I love that Jesus was in such close communion with his father that he was able to know when the right time was for public displays of revolution. There were certainly other times in his ministry where he was much more careful not to openly attack the actions of others, because it was not the right time.

I delight in knowing a Savior who was able to let his gentleness be evident to all, and to never be lacking in zeal. This is obviously a tough balance for us to have. Let's not shrink back. Let's search the scriptures so that we can confidently seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. And let's be willing to cast out things that are obstacles to those goals.

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