Friday November 21, 2025

Luke 19:45-48

Jesus went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling. ‘According to scripture,’ he said ‘my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’

We preached on this passage not a few Sundays ago and so I will be brief here. Most of us think that the temple was like our churches. You would walk in as we do every Sunday and instead of finding people in prayer, our Lord found traders. That would not be accurate.

The temple occupied a huge space that was divided into different areas. The outermost part was the court of the gentiles, then came the court of women, then the court of the Pharisees and scribes and then the Holy of Holies, that is the sanctuary where only the high priest would enter. This event happens in the court of the gentiles.

Now there had always been traders at the temple. They offered a valuable service for the many who came to worship. These traders would be outside the walls that is outside the court of the gentiles. But slowly they crept into the court of the gentiles and crowded the poor gentiles out. This is what infuriated Our Lord. Now the gentles have no worship space.

What is the take away for you? What has slowly taken over sacred space in your life? These are things that are important and sometimes needed but if not kept in their place, if not checked, they take over. Clean it up my friend.

I used to have sacred hour when I was in seminary. I don’t know where that went. I used to pray the rosary now I don’t have time for it. I am too busy?? Really!!!! How about Family time, that goes away too.

You get it!!! Things always creep in that change what was once important, what was once sacred. Start fresh this advent season…. Or restore the holy space today.