John
2:13-25
Many
of us have heard about Jesus’ clearing the Temple, but we haven’t always been
clear on why. Was it just about the issue of commerce in the Temple? Is that
why we’re reluctant to put a real coffee shop in the foyers and narthexes of
our churches? Could it have been something more?
Historians
and archeologists tell us that the moneychangers and sellers of doves, sheep,
and cattle had taken up residence in an area of the Temple called “The Court of
the Gentiles.” The inner part of the Temple was for the priests and Jewish men.
An outer court was for the Jewish women. Outside of that was “The Court of the
Gentiles.” While the moneychangers and sellers of sacrificial animals had a
designated area outside the city walls on the Mount of Olives, over time they
had slowly wandered inside the walls and had filled the Court of the Gentiles.
This scene is what Jesus happened upon in today’s reading. Yet, before that, Khety
came to the Temple.
Khety
was a trader from Egypt. He often came to Judea to purchase olives and wine. On
one of his visits, he met Yosef—a kind man from Galilee. Yosef had invited Khety
to eat with his family after they had conducted their business—olives. Khety
was so taken by Yosef’s kindness and joy that he asked him why he was this way.
Yosef explained that their faith in a good and gracious God made the difference
in his life. Yosef told Khety all about his practice of faith and even invited
him to meet him in two weeks in Jerusalem for Passover. “You will see our Temple,
and you can worship our God there!” Khety decided to finish his business the
following week in Jericho and then go up to Jerusalem.
When
Khety arrived in Jerusalem, he could tell that it was a special time—the streets
were full, and there seemed to be a press of people moving towards the gleaming
white building with gold trim. He was fairly carried along with the crowd, and
he looked forward to learning more of this God Yosef had told him about. As he
neared the beautiful Temple, guides were directing everyone where to go—Jewish men
to go through the inner court; Jewish women to gather in the inner court;
Gentiles (Greeks, Egyptians, Syrians) to stay in the outer court.
Khety
approached the outer court…hearing the cries of moneychangers, sellers of
animals, the yells, mooo’s, baaaa’s, coooo’s…the smell of manure and animal
urine…the press of pilgrims. How was he supposed to worship here?! The shouts,
the press of the people, the smells…what kind of god was this?! He immediately
thought of the
Jesus
stepped in to clear the Temple of distractions and to ensure that ALL people
could come to worship the One True God. Jesus cleared the space for all of the future
Khetys that might come to Jerusalem to learn something of the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus spoke for those who had no voice in this Temple—Khety
and all the Gentiles. And Jesus steps into our lives today in the same way to
clear away the distractions that keep us from coming to God, from hearing God,
from being in God’s presence.
Have
we allowed a thousand distractions to fill our lives that now keep us from God
and from the peace of God? Have we inadvertently been a distraction for others,
an impediment to anyone who might have had an interest in God?
By
prayer, we invite Jesus into our lives to clear away the cacophony of distraction.
By prayer, we ask God to show us if we have stood in the way of anyone seeking
God. By prayer, we find our way to God, to God’s presence, to God’s peace. May
we take that small, simple step of prayer today…and every day. Jesus makes a
way for us all.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Making the Way Straight: A Place for All
Watch/Listen: HERE
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