While some of Jesus’ disciples might refer to him as the “Prince of Peace,” neither the leader nor his followers could avoid conflict. Instead, they were often transformed by it.
The disciples fought over who was the greatest among them. Martha dragged Jesus into a fight with her sister Mary, essentially telling Jesus to tell Mary what she wanted her to do. And let’s not forget the many heated discussions Jesus had with the religious leaders of his day.
He was not one to avoid confrontation or challenge. Some might even say he was a troublemaker, as he faced questions head on and called the religious leaders as he saw them: hypocrites, white-washed graves, snakes even. Ouch.
In fact, Jesus experienced internal conflict in the garden of Gethsemane. Even if his hands were clasped together, he still wrestled with his purpose in prayer: “And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want’” (Matthew 26.39, NRSV).
Yet, we are most comfortable thinking of Jesus with a sippy cup. We like the idea of God with us— in a manger.
But God was also present in the temple when Jesus turned over tables. I am not sure who greeted Jesus at the door, but it couldn’t have warranted the response that followed.
Without warning, Jesus entered the temple and started a fight. The bell rings. “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
Can you imagine the commotion and shock of the people as birds flew past their heads? They were looking for seats and chairs were being knocked over. Prayers were being offered as tables and money fell to the floor.
Jesus did not knock on the door of their hearts. No, Jesus is putting people out of the temple.
Clearly, he is not concerned about the rumor mill because he does not take the conversation behind closed doors. On the contrary, Jesus raised his voice: “‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21:13).
His words are a warning not to make the temple something it is not. The temple is not in the business of faith and thus, not a place to set up shop. It also should not be a haven for those who seek to prey on the weaknesses of others.
So, if Jesus was turning over tables, why do we pretend that we always turn the other cheek? Why do we act as if churches are without conflict?
To be sure, Jesus called hotheads. Don’t be shy, Peter. His relationship with Jesus is proof that “cooler heads prevail.”
And it wasn’t just Peter’s problem. The apostle Paul included this counsel in his letter to Timothy: “But keep your head in all situations” (Second Timothy 4:5).
Furthermore, why don’t we discuss the conflict Jesus brings to our lives by necessity of the gospel? Conflict is to be expected as Jesus does not promise a trouble-free life to his disciples.
In fact, he offers just the opposite, sending them out as “sheep among wolves.” That can’t be good.
But the response to the cleansing of the temple is. With tables on their backs, amidst broken chairs, dove feathers and coins in the air, persons came to be healed.
Somehow, this was the atmosphere for the invitation. There is no doubt an uproar and a crowd has gathered.
The place was a mess, but Jesus healed them. He is laying his sweaty hands on people.
Jesus is catching his breath and speaking words of wholeness. He has changed the image of the moneychangers and restored sight to the blind.
Jesus has broken the legs of chairs and restored the legs of the lame. People came into the temple and left differently. They were transformed amid conflict.
Director of The Raceless Gospel Initiative, an associate editor, host of the Good Faith Media podcast, “The Raceless Gospel” and author of Take Me to the Water: The Raceless Gospel as Baptismal Pedagogy for a Desegregated Church.
