Nougat 13

The cleansing of the temple also applies to us; and we ought to glean from it as we munch on today’s Holy Nougat

“In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables.” ‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I can’t help but chuckle at the vivid scene presented to my mind. Jesus unraveling part of the rope nearby, the rope merchant getting affronted … until he realizes that Jesus isn’t scared to use it; folks irate about the animals released; others scrambling for the coins – whether it was theirs or not; animals bleating at the chaos; folks trying to dodge licks – a lot funny.

But that’s when it wasn’t my livelihood, when my ill-gotten gains weren’t threatened. I can see quite clearly *why Jesus was crucified*. For the money lenders/currency traders, He was a nuisance! It is a wonder they didn’t try right there and then to kill Him, but they were busy dodging licks.

Siblings in Christ, defending God’s Justice is costly. It demands a willingness to overthrow systems and structures that have long been established – even if they have shifted slightly. We might find that what we disrupt affects our relationship with others, remember Jesus was dissed and dismissed for thinking Himself better than the others in His hometown. But He did what He was called to do, starting with the systemic rot within His own community. So, we discern our task, and set towards it resolutely, remembering it is Jesus Who has called us.

Still a bit nervous? He is with us every step of the way. Praying strength and courage.

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May all we seek be found in Christ