Third Sunday in Lent, March 19, 2006
BCP: Exod. 20:1-17, Psalm 19:7-14, Rom. 7:13-25, John 2:13-22
RCL: Exod. 20:1-17, Psalm 19, 1 Cor. 1:18-25, John 2:13-22
The synoptic writers put the story of the cleansing of the temple toward the end of their gospels (Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48). Because of the event, the authorities want to kill Jesus. It is a prelude to his death.
John places the story early. His account mentions Jesus’ death (destroy this temple) but points to the resurrection. We are reading it during Lent because it points to where we are headed. The late Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann reminded us, “Above all, Lent is a spiritual journey and its destination is Easter.”
The crowded, chaotic marketplace in the temple was not beneficial to the pilgrims. People came to worship and they were coerced into the status of cheated customers. The exchange rate for foreign coins (not allowed in the temple) to shekels was exorbitant. Animals for the sacrifices were overpriced. Those who brought their own animals might be told they were blemished and unacceptable. On an emotional level, Jesus is angry at the abuse. On a theological level, he is saying that his once-and-for-all sacrifice will replace this daily butchering.
The Jews want to know what sign he will show to justify his actions (John 2:18). As Paul states, they stumble over the sign Jesus gives (1 Cor. 1:22-23). When he speaks of the temple of his body raised up in three days, they envision physical building construction work.
We note a movement in Christian theology. There are symbols of the presence of God, such as the mountain in our Exodus story, the Jewish temple, or our own local church, synagogue or mosque. The movement is beyond the symbol to the reality of Jesus embodying the presence of God. This is the temple that will be raised up in three days. The movement goes further: We, the people, are the body of Christ. The church building or temple is no longer the limited place where God chooses to dwell.
In light of this movement, Jesus was not only angry at the desecration of the temple building. He was angry at the abuse of the people, which was a desecration of God’s dwelling. God dwells in people. Therefore, we hear with new ears the words of Jesus, “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” (John 2:16).
Look It Up
Look up the references in Paul’s epistles to “the body of Christ” to further flesh out this movement in Christian theology.
Think About It
The dwelling of God in the people is found on the move in many places: in offices, homes, stores, schools and playing fields. Do we treat these places with due reverence?
Next Sunday
Fourth Sunday in Lent
BCP: 2 Chron. 36:14-23, Psalm 122, Eph. 2:4-10, John 6:4-15
RCL: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Eph. 2:1-10, John 3:14-21
