The Racket

If you have uncontested control of the market you can get away with anything – even murder. And they did. The racket they had went something like this.

Jerusalem was the centre of worship and home to the Temple. This was the only place the people could present their sacrifices to God as prescribed by the Law. On special occasions, such as Passover, the city would be teeming with pilgrims wanting to fulfil their religious obligations. What an opportunity for corruption.

First, the animals presented for sacrifice had to be without blemish, so the priests implemented a stringent quality control program. And when the animal was rejected there was a ready supply of ‘quality approved’ replacements at a premium price. Why would you want to risk sourcing another animal from the local, albeit significantly cheaper, market when there was no guarantee as to its ‘quality?’

Then there were the money changers. The Jews were required to pay half a shekel temple tax annually and, in addition, many would make free will offerings. Of course it would be inappropriate to allow foreign coins into the temple, especially if they bore the symbols of paganism. So the priests arranged for money changers to exchange this ‘unholy’ currency for that deemed acceptable to the Lord. And as it was only proper that the currency changers be compensated for this service a commission was charged – one that could be quite generous.

All this took place within the Temple precinct and, as such, was under the control of the priests. They authorised who could and could not trade in the area. Therefore it did not matter to them if the prices for the goods and the commissions charged were exorbitant as they made sure they got their cut.

One day, at the busiest and most profitable time of the year, a dangerous rabble rouser appeared on the scene. He made a whip, drove out the animal traders and overturned the tables of the money changers. Not that this was the first time that He had come to their attention. He had clashed with them before, challenging their interpretation of the Law. But this was a direct challenge to their authority. And so they planned to get rid of Him.

We remember this rebel in a special way on Good Friday. Jesus sought to free people from the burden of religiosity, of meaningless ritual, and religious practices that made human beings subservient to legalistic interpretation of the Scriptures. That which had been meant to instruct, enlighten and safeguard humanity had been hijacked to enslave and oppress. Jesus strongest words were aimed at the corrupt priesthood who used their positions of power and influence to further their own interest.

History often repeats itself and Christianity is no exception. The Church that claims to represent Jesus Christ has too often been marked by corruption, the imposition of man-made rules and interpretations that distort the true meaning of the Bible, the abuse of power and persecution of those that speak out against these practices. And if anyone takes the time to read carefully both what Jesus and the New Testament writes say they will find that this outcome was anticipated.

Too many people reject Jesus Christ because of the Church. I choose to stick with Jesus because I believe He offers real hope and His words point the way to a better future. The Church, including my own denomination, has too often betrayed the one it is meant to serve and therefore humanity itself. But those that have truly learnt to trust Jesus, and be guided by their understanding of His teachings without mindless adherence to the teachings of any ‘church’, will never be betrayed by the One whom we remember on Good Friday.

You can read the story in Mark 11.