I’ve seen this poorly crafted bit of propaganda circulating as if it were some sort of validation for modern-day rioting. I feel that it should be self-evident that it is in no way a validation for such actions, but then again, I am reminded by the survey data, Americas, unfortunately, rate extremely low in religious literacy.
So, I will make apparent what is self-evident to anyone who knows the story of Jesus and the money changers.
The Story of The Money Changers
Upon entering his Father’s house, the Nazarene finds that some select individuals have begun to sell commodities used for sacrifice, and in doing so, they turn the Holy of Holies into a place of trade.
This sight of the most sacred being corporatized ignites righteous anger in Jesus, and in being so moved, the prince of peace fashions a whip and readied to drive out the scoundrels.
He returns to the temple, flips the tables scattering the money, and runs the traders out of the Holy place.
Now, most might be tempted to use Jesus’s reaction as a justification for rioting and looting.
As seen in the meme.
Doing so would be a mistake as there are many glaring differences between lighting the department store at the corner of 42nd Street on fire and purifying the temple of the most high.
For the sake of brevity, I’ll highlight only one.
Justice For The Unjust
Jesus’s actions only affected the perpetrators. Meaning his actions could be entirely just as they were directed only at the unjust.
Whereas the rioter, in burning down a business, does not only punish the wrongdoer, if it can even be shown that the business owner is a wrongdoer but he also, by virtue of his actions, hurts innumerable innocent people.
Looting, on the other hand, has no grounding in the story of Christ as he did not take any of the commodities of those who he opposed, so there is not even a hint of a parallel In his actions.
If you like and support violence, do so in no uncertain terms. Do not attempt to draw vague lines to stories you neither know nor understand to appease your conscious and slight religious people. It’s disingenuous, disrespectful, and silly.
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Sadly, I have encountered people who use this as a justification for destroying abortion clinics or sex-trade places. This only brings criticisms and hardens those who are sinning in these places, and brings embarrassment on Christ.
May Father have mercy on us and lead us to more fruitful and genuine use of the Scripture.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
Yeah, it really is a tragedy when Christians go after the marginalized of society. No one who is suffering needs their pains increased.
Excellent article. You highlight a valuable point, especially in these troubled times (although, really, when are we not troubled?)
I would also add to the discussion that when you look at Jesus’ ministry in its totality, which is also how the Bible teaches us, this is the only example we’re given of “violent behavior” on His part. I think that’s also key…..are we really echoing what Jesus showed us to do if we are quick to violent acts and anger? The description of God that is quoted all throughout Scriptures says “slow to anger.” If we, as Christ’s ambassadors here, are not seen as “slow to anger and abounding in loyal love,” are we really doing what is right? Probably not.
There is undoubtedly a time to act firmly, but not nearly as much as most of us are tempted towards. Not nearly.
Thank you so much for writing this.