Growing up, I frequently experienced corporal punishment. It was fairly common for parents to establish their power and authority over what they called ‘disobedient or insolent children’ with whippings to the butt, hands, or feet. I also had the misfortune of getting double doses as I was also whipped by my school teachers. I want to say at the outset that my goal is not to discuss either the legality or rightness of spanking children though I confess that many times it felt like an unjust exhibition of ego.

Permit me to draw your attention to the subject of this blog: a familiar Bible story where someone also used the whip but in a very different way. Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Travelling by foot, they go to the city on Monday and headed straight for the temple. As they navigated the streets in Jerusalem, they passed thousands of worshippers from Palestine and other distant lands who had gathered for this important feast.

Unlike previous visits, Jesus saw a very disturbing sight upon entering the temple. Merchants and moneychangers were exchanging foreign currency and selling animal sacrifices to worshippers (pigeons, doves, sheep, goats, and oxen), overcharging them for the two essential things that were needed to participate in worship: temple coins and an animal to sacrifice.

Jesus’ heart ached at the lack of pity and compassion of the priests who claimed to be guardians of the poor, the blind and the lame but who rendered no assistance to get them humblest of offerings to offer to the Lord. He hated the noise and commotion in the temple court that made it impossible for the worshippers to pray. He was angry at the moneychangers’ greed and desecration of his house that he took some cords and wove them together into a whip.

Then he began to knock over the tables of the moneychangers, spilling coins on the ground. No one dared stop him as he declared “My house shall be called a house of prayer but you have made it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21:13, ESV).  All at once, sheep, oxen, brokers, and cattle rushed from the temple to escape Jesus’ condemnation. The regular people were impressed by Jesus who once again brought peace out of commotion but the priests and rulers began to plot to destroy him.

What lessons can we learn from this story of Jesus cleansing the temple? I have a few important ones that I would like to share with you.

1. We must take a stand against injustice.

Do you ever use others in order to advance your own purposes? Do you speak up when you see someone acting unjustly? Where is your whip when you see someone taking advantage of another in the workplace, at school, and even at church? Jesus took a stand and spoke up in no uncertain terms. Perhaps, we should get a whip and do the same.

2. Anger can be a good thing.

God gave us the emotion of anger and he expects us to use it without sinning. Jesus was angry because people in authority were merchandising his grace and perverting the use of His Father’s house of worship but he did not sin. Does child abuse make you angry? What emotions are awakened when you hear about domestic violence, human trafficking, racism, and discrimination? Your anger can be a catalyst for getting involved in these causes that would otherwise be ignored. So, if anger is nowhere on your radar, you might want to ask yourself why not.

3. We must be a magnet for change.

Soon after Jesus dealt with opportunists, he became a magnet for the disadvantaged. The Bible tells us that the blind and the lame came to him, and children acknowledged him and praised him with “Hosanna to the son of David” (Matthew 21:14, ESV). It may be that when we take a courageous stand for the right that someone will recognize and appreciate us for doing that. The world is full of downtrodden people who are looking for someone to stand up for them. Get your proverbial whip and make a difference.

4. Church is for worship, not merchandising.

Jesus clearly stated the purpose for coming to his house – prayer. Wherever God manifests His presence, the place is holy as when God descended upon Mt. Sinai and consecrated it by his presence. When we enter his house, God expects us to commune with him in prayer and to not let our actions prevent others from doing the same. There must be no merchandising – buying and selling – of stuff, including religious stuff because it defiles his house.

The Apostle Paul also reminds us that our body is the temple for the indwelling Christ, and a witness to the world. We must, therefore ensure that we put nothing in it that defiles.  “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy which temple you are” (1 Corinthians 3:17, NKJV).

Jesus’ cleansing of the temple is emblematic of the cleansing work he wants to do in our hearts. However, this work is not done with a whip. Christ stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, and if we choose to open the door, he will come in and dine with us.  I did, and I encourage you to open your heart to him today. Will you?