Some Semblance of Order

It seems that some semblance of order is returning to our world. Though we Christians know that order and our world are are opposite positions on a biblical spectrum. This world order is headed toward the destruction of epic proportions. When everyone is “saying peace and safety,” then destruction will come. However, it seems complicated to imagine everyone saying “peace and safety” these days. The world is up in arms about every little thing. I’ve heard more talk about the end of the world in the last months than ever before. 

In Jesus last night, just before his mock trial and execution, his disciples were in the peace and safety mode when they called his attention to the Temple’s beauty. It was indeed a lovely structure with a golden front that faced east toward the rising sun. It was said that to look at the Temple in the morning was a blinding experience. Herod the Great was a cruel ruler, but he was also a builder of significant structures. The Temple was one of his masterworks. It was also a money pot. The religious system of the day had people buying their blessings. Their entrance into the Kingdom of God depended on their giving. In Matthew 23, you can read Jesus’ scathing and justified rant against the system. The fake religious leaders gave tithe on everything, but they robbed from widow’s to do it. Smug sons told parents who needed help, “We dedicated all our funds to God, so we can't help you.” Both rich and poor were expected to give sacrificially. The “House of Prayer” had become a den of robbers. 

The Temple court in Jesus’ day was enormous at just over three acres. This dimension puts Jesus’ clearing of that area in perspective. It might have been considered one of his unspoken miracles as there must have been hundreds of tables to overturn. One article I read said this about the “Court of the Gentiles,” 

This area was primarily a bazaar, with vendors selling souvenirs, sacrificial animals, food, and money changers, exchanging Roman for Tyrian money. The Jews were not allowed to coin their own money. They viewed Roman currency as an abomination to the Lord... [When] ... Jerusalem was packed with Jews who had come for Passover, perhaps numbering 300,000 to 400,000 pilgrims... Guides that provided tours of the premises were also available. Jewish males had the unique opportunity to be shown inside the temple itself.

These were pagan activities at best and blasphemous at their very worst. It was in this futile religious setting that Jesus called his men to him and pointed out a poor widow who was making the ultimate sacrifice. She put in her very living. She was a poor widow, the kind that the Pharisees preyed on. She had put her full trust in the broken system, not knowing that it was indeed broken. Jesus didn't say that she was a believer in God. He never mentioned her after this incident. He didn't condemn the rich for their gifts, and he didn't say that all Christ-followers should follow her example. As one author stated, “If she was the model giver, then we should follow her example and give everything we have to the church and go on welfare.” However, Jesus wasn’t commending her effort, and he was just saying, “Look at her; she gave everything she had to this den of robbers.” She believed in a false religious system.

This is what many do these days by giving to charity or T.V. evangelists. They think that they are paying their dues or are doing good to get points with God. They may even do this in your church to get a tax deduction. All of this is an investment in a system full of holes. It is not true worship, and it is and will be severely condemned.