Lenten Reflection - April 5th

Written by: Genon Murray

Reading: John 2:13-22

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”[a] 18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

We rarely see Jesus angry. Because his actions seem so out of character to us, they get our attention and make several points. We can’t buy our way into God’s good graces with sacrifices and offerings. Although we offer gifts out of gratitude, obedience and love for God, they do not buy us God’s favor. Jesus knew he was going to be crucified soon as the ultimate sacrifice of grace and love in our relationship with God. His gift of his life makes bargaining for God’s love cheap and insulting. His power to rise from the dead proves the ultimate authority regarding what makes our relationship right with God. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are the indisputable expressions of God’s love for us and nothing we can do or offer is comparable in exchange.

Dearest Jesus, Forgive us for our arrogance in thinking our gifts, sacrifices, lifestyle or acts of service are better than others and buy us special favors with you. Help us to make offerings to you out of love and gratitude. Thank you for making the point that you are in charge of grace and thank you for showing us your fierce and powerful love for us. Amen