Jesus teaches that his community is not to be a nationalistic stronghold.
Jesus had a problem with what was going on in the place of worship. Instead of being a place of prayer (a place set aside for being in relationship with God), it was a den of robbers...
Matthew 21:12-13 12 Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you are making it a den of robbers."
It was permitted under Jewish law to sell provisions in this area of the temple that were necessary for sacrifices in the temple. Those coming from long distances did not have to bring their sacrifice with them, but could buy them when they got there. And monetary giving had to be done with Jewish coins, hence, the money changers. The problem was not that doves were being sold or that money was being exchange in the temple. The problem was that this service offered to the people coming to worship had become "a den of robbers." Maybe this service should have been non-profit and instead had become big business. Maybe the prices were so steep that the poor were being kept from participating in worship. I believe this was part of the problem. However... there is more to this story!
When you translate the word "robber" the way it is normally translated in Greek literature there is an added depth to this story. For instance in Matt 27:16 this word translated "robber" means "nationalistic rebel" as it refers to Barabbas - the one who the Romans pardoned at the Jew's request in exchange for Jesus' crucifixion. In other words, Jesus is saying, "My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you are making it a den of nationalistic rebels." In the book of Mark, Mark records even more of Jesus' words: "My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations; but you are making it a den of nationalistic rebels." The Jews, like the follower of Jesus, had been given the mission to be a witness of the living God to all nations. They were to invite all nations into their community to worship God with them, but they didn't do it! Instead the temple had become a rallying place where the Jews segregated themselves from other nations. They were not fulfilling the mission God had given them.
Has the church become a rallying place for nationalistic rebels? Or is it a house of prayer for all nations? Do we exclude the poor by making the church a place they can not afford to come to? Do we invite others to join us in worshiping God or do we segregate ourselves? Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that his community is to be a place of prayer where all people are welcome not a place of nationalism?
Notes for further thought: At Jesus' trial, the Romans are going to set Jesus free, but are afraid it will cause an uprising among the Jews. So they offer the Jews a choice: Set Barabbas free or Jesus. Barabbas is a nationalistic hero who has participated in the Jewish insurrection and is accused of murdering those against his cause. Of course, Jesus is the opposite. Jesus was not supporting their nationalistic agenda. The Messiah was supposed to do that - at least in their view. They thought that the Messiah was all about putting their family back in power and wealth. And they reasoned that Jesus could not be the Messiah because he is not blessing them the way they'd hoped by supporting their nationalistic/family agenda. This brings into strong focus the choice before the Jews then and us today. Will we use our "religion" to support a nationalistic/family agenda of "God bless America" or will we use our "relationship with God" to support the Messiah's agenda which is one of inclusion, peace, and servant hood?
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