In the Footsteps of Jesus #15

^{Scripture: Mark 11:15-19}

¹⁵On 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, ¹⁶and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. ¹⁷And 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.'"

¹⁸The 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.

"COMMERCIALIZED CHRISTIANITY"

They’re everywhere! On the sidewalks, in the alleyways and even on the buses! Who are they? The vendors in Israel. You cannot go to any sacred site without being besieged by someone trying to sell you something. Olive wood crosses, picture postcards, Roman coins, Bible bookmarks, you name it they are hawking it. And they won’t take no for an answer. This was probably the most disappointing aspect of our time in Israel. It seemed often times so commercialized.

Not much different from the time of Jesus. Buyers and sellers crowded the Temple courts, making it hard for people to draw near to God. So with righteous anger, Jesus clears his Father’s house. Driving those who would profit from religion out of the way of the true worshippers.

Could we stand a similar housecleaning today? Have you noticed how commercialized our faith has become? We have Christian buttons, T-shirts, posters, jewelry and so on. Slap a cross on it and it sells. Some of our preachers spend more time peddling products than proclaiming the Gospel. Are we cluttering up our Christian lives so much that we are losing sight of God? What would Jesus say to those who try to profit from our faith? Let’s take a long hard look at how we promote and sell Christianity.

Question: Do the Christian items you own help or hinder your faith?

Prayer: Father, help us to worship you in the right spirit. In Jesus name. Amen.