Early churches were hidden in catacombs or in caves, but from the 4th century onwards they were specially built structures often modeled on the basilican halls of late Roman public buildings. The modern churches do not have this style. But there are some beautiful architectural masterpieces even today.
Are we using the church properties for the glory of God? There are examples of churches becoming empty due to the lack of worshipers and consequently are sold out to commercial property developers. Personally I have heard of cases where there has been mishandling of the church collections. In some churches, the laity takes up the worship and do not respect the pastors as they feel that they are much pious and holier than the pastor. In such situations how are we going to retain the image of a ‘Good Shepherd’ in our churches?
I would like to draw our attention to the passage in Luke 19. ‘Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'” Every day he was teaching at the temple. (Lk.19:45-47). Keeping with the pattern of ancient entrance procession, presents Jesus as directly going to the temple.
There, he does not offer a sacrifice as his means of appropriating the city but protests the corruption of the temple by driving out the merchants. The Jerusalem temple, as Jeremiah points out, was fundamentally an economic institution, and indeed dominated the city’s commercial life. The daily operation of the cult was a matter of employment for curtain makers, barbers, incense manufacturers, goldsmiths, trench diggers, and many others. Jesus’ anger could hardly be attributed to a discovery of the existence of temple trading as such.
However, it is the ruling-class interests in control of the commercial enterprises in the temple that Jesus is attacking. Jesus protested against the trade: Was Jesus able to stop the trade in the temple? It was not mentioned in the Gospels. But as Martin Hengel points out that any effort to stop the trade necessary to the temple service would have required an army, and there is no evidence of substantial martial conflict.
It is reasonable to think that Jesus overturned some tables as a demonstrative action. It would appear that the action was not substantial enough even to interfere with the daily routine of the temple. Sometimes it may be beyond you to solve the problems in the church, but do not hesitate to make your protest. Jesus purified the temple: If any trade was conducted inside the temple premises, it was conducted in the court of the Gentiles.
Thus the intention of Jesus could have been to ensure the place allotted for the Gentiles to worship was available to them. Cleansing of the church is an essential element in our ministry today and would be called as a meaningful worship for the glory of God.
Jesus taught in the temple: There was profanation and uncleanness in the temple, and Jesus was also aware that it would not be a possible task to root out the whole system of trade from the temple, but that has not become an excuse to leave the temple. Instead, having made his protest about the trade in the temple, Jesus establishes himself as a regular daily teacher in the temple. Going out of the church is not the solution. Like Jesus, we need to take up the challenge and protest against the evil structures and continue to serve the church to the best of our abilities. But we need to remember one thing, the church is a Community of Believers and there would be shortcomings, but we need to aim to make it a better place by our affirmative actions and our sincere efforts.
Author: Mr. Samuel Herald Christian is a final year B.D student in UTC, Bangalore.
