How Dare You!

by Brenda Black
Published February 14, 2009

Actions speak louder than any words.

If you’ve ever dealt with animals, you know it takes more than just a kind suggestion to get their full cooperation. At times, we’ve employed large, handy tree limbs picked up en route across the pasture, a clump of dried mud from the creek bank, a show stick, or a missile-launched bucket when they are coming straight for you. Jesus did better than that. He didn’t storm into the market area, grab whatever was handy and start swinging mindlessly. He sat down and braided a whip.

“When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!’" (John 2:12-17)

Christ, the mad man, made his point, but did we miss the message. His actions are not a license to be a crazy rogue. Jesus' anger is rooted in holy indignation. He clears the Temple because vendors dare to desecrate it by selling animals for sacrifice within the Temple itself. The house of God treated as a mere mall. Jesus uses a whip to change that. Read again from where the whip cameand on whom he used it. “So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle...”

I don’t know how long it took. But he had time to count to ten, take several deep breaths, say a prayer, think positive thoughts – all the things that would cool his jets. When the whip was finished, he used it constructively to drive animals from the house of God. He did not beat people or lash it wildly for showmanship.

With his hands he “scattered the coins of money changers and overturned their tables...” It does not say he walloped them with the tail of a braided rope. It would have been very inefficient to use a whip to turn over tables. Jesus knew exactly what he was doing and why he entered the building. His actions were calculated, not reactive. This is not a raging idiot, but a serious Savior.

Do we have the same calculated and purposeful response when we confront a sinful situation? Do we have the courage to take a stand on the side of God and do what is right even when it calls for us to be tough and risk being misunderstood? This passage isn’t about anger. It is about zeal - great energy or enthusiasm for a cause. It will require a level head and a whip braided of faith, hope and love to make a difference today just as it did in a Temple a couple thousand years ago.

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