out of the ordinary | things around the house

God frequently works through the ordinary. Through them he shares something of his love for us and reveals elements of his redemption plan. In this devotional series we look at some of the ordinary things Jesus would have encountered as he journeyed towards the cross. Today, tables. Holy Spirit, will you reveal something extraordinary through our devotions today. Amen.

Jesus entered the temple courts 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. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” Matthew 21:12-13, NIV

There are times when I want to rage. I want to turn the tables on those who benefit from injustice, corruption, and human misery. Those who lie and cheat, and seem - all too frequently - to gloat, believing themselves to be untouchable.

People with the same proclivities were around in Jesus’ day so I find it absolutely fascinating that he reserved his anger for those who were misrepresenting the Father and making money from his name. The contrast between his dealings with the temple traders and Zaccheus are marked. Zaccheus had cheated and defrauded God’s people but Jesus met him, loved him. The temple traders had gone a step further and were fleecing worshippers in the Father’s house. Since Jesus’s priority was to reveal the Father he was incensed to see the sellers in the house of prayer for the nations exploiting the devout, and robbing God of the glory he was due.

Jesus’ intention was to cleanse the temple and restore holy worship. That should be our intention, too. We can take our raging hearts to the Father, ask him to restore us, and then allow him to focus us on what matters - glorifying him in everything we do. Including turning the tables when he calls us to!

Let's pray
Father, your word sets out principles and precepts we need to follow to please you as individuals and nations. You care about the disenfranchised and marginalised, you stand with the poor and powerless. Lead me in the ways of justice and peace, inspire me to confront tyranny and oppression. Help me to focus on actions that bring glory to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.