He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. (Matt 21:13-14)
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” This statement recorded in John 2:19 was really contentious, and was an accusation levelled against Jesus during his trial, as well as a taunt while he reeled in pain on the cross. He said these words while standing in Temple courts he had just cleansed. However, John quickly informs his readers that Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body. In the Matthew passage about the cleansing of the Temple, there are many players – some praising the Lord Jesus and others opposing Him. I take this opportunity to reflect on their roles in building together – building together the physical temple and also the temple of the body of Jesus Christ.
The physical temple in Jerusalem was a monumental piece of Architecture and Engineering. It took forty-six years to re-build it; the first one took King Solomon seven years to put up, even when his father David had collected all the materials required for that project! The Chapel’s call for financial support and assistance should be embraced by everyone, not just the wealthy or powerful. Contributing to Church projects is a shared responsibility, as help from all members is truly needed.
Now to the people at the Temple with Jesus: the disciples were always following and in support of the Lord’s moves; there was also a happy crowd that believed Him to be the Messiah; and there were children who sang ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’ – a song deserving only the Messiah – the highest praise poured upon Jesus Christ; and there are also those who were blind and the lame who had been healed. The four groups worked together in worship and obedience to build the body of Christ, which later became the Church. We are now called to join them in continuing this work today.
On the other hand, there were people selling and exploiting the oncoming worshippers, then chief priests and scribes who became indignant and annoyed when they heard children singing and praising the Lord. Two categories of people here are spoiling the building process; and we have such people among us even today. Do not join them, and be careful and ensure you are not one of them!
The Scripture Jesus quoted, to justify his rough treatment of the market people in the temple courts, was drawn from Isaiah 56:7, ‘…for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.’ As all peoples are invited, so let us all build together: Each small gift, each loving deed, helps to meet a holy need. With faith as mortar, hope as stone, we do not build this house alone. So let us lift, and let us share, a work of love, a house of prayer. God bless you all.
Rev. Eng. Dr Emmanuel Mwesigwa – CHAPLAIN