On Riots and Temples
“I wasn’t there, but I’m guessing Jesus caused property damage when he cleared out the corruption atthe temple.” I posted this yesterday almost as soon as the thought gripped me. And as a couple people shared it, I happened to catch some negative feedback from some folks of the white, female, Christian persuasion. I was struck by two in particular. Both said things like “it was his house” and therefore my thought about his causing property destruction had no bearing on what has been happening this week in Minneapolis and other parts of the country. Today new information has emerged that in many cities property damage was started by white mostly male agitators, many of whom then left the scene. Now it does seem that some protestors were still involved at various points, but none of that takes away from the emphasis I see in far too many places from white Christians like these two women who responded to my post.
Jesus in his statement about it being his Father’s house could lead one to make the connection these commenters did, sure it’s his house, however, that is not how his action would have been perceived by the religious leaders of the day. This story appears in all four gospels. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the synoptic gospels), they are trying to tell Jesus’ story chronologically and this event takes place during the same passover time where we later see Jesus crucified. Jesus was never accepted by the…
