In this weekend’s story, Jesus’ actions are abrupt, disruptive. He goes into the temple market place, finds the animal sellers and money changers, makes a whip and drives them out. It is a less than a comfortable scene.

This is especially so for the characters in his path, for the surprise of being disrupted, being stopped in one’s tracks, does not feel good when it happens. We may realize, in the end, that it is just what was needed and that good has resulted, but in the moment, an unexpected disruption is rarely comfortable.

In our story, Jesus’ actions signal the major change his life brings to faithful thinking about worship and what is central. He hints, for the first time, that he himself (his body) is actually the place where God dwells, and thus a new system of worship is beginning (minus animals and marketplaces). A new reality is now here, in Jesus. And God’s action, God’s provision, is to be central in worship, rather than human action or what we offer to God.

Another verse that communicates this idea is Romans 12:3 (MSG),

“The only accurate way to understand ourselves
is by what God is and by what he does for us,
not by what we are and what we do for him.”

As you prepare for worship this week, read through our story, found toward the beginning of John’s Gospel (John 2:13-22). The brief Psalm reading (Psalm 127:1-2) for this week will be helpful also. As you read it, you’ll be reminded that only God builds “houses” (or temples) that last.