Wow! It isn’t often that we hear stories about Jesus being angry! Do you think he was just having a bad day? Was he at the end of his rope?
It’s important to understand the context of what was going on there in the Temple. In those times, people traveled a long way to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. There weren’t temples in every town or city - this was the one holy place for the Jewish people. They would have synagogues in other places but not a temple.
When people visited the temple, they were expected to make a sacrifice to God. They might not be able to carry live animals there from home so they were available there for them to buy. The money of the Roman Empire wasn’t accepted at the Temple, so they needed money changers to buy the proper currency as well. All of this was fine and accepted practice. Jesus wasn’t upset that these people were there selling what the worshippers needed. He was upset because they had stopped just providing a necessary service. They were cheating the people and pocketing a big profit. He was upset because they were taking advantage of people who couldn’t afford it. Many people who traveled to visit the Temple did so because they felt they needed to ask God for special prayers. Perhaps someone in their family was very sick, maybe they had other problems they wanted to take to God. The sellers in the marketplace were taking unfair advantage of very vulnerable people. This is what made Jesus so angry. This holy place of worship was being used to cheat people out of their money.
We often sell things at our church - bake sales, garage sales, silent auctions, gift cards, soaps… Do you think Jesus would be angry if he came to BCUC and saw us having a bake sale or a Christmas bazaar? Why/Why not? What does our church do with the money it raises from these events?
We know that we are very blessed to live where we do. We have warm homes, plenty to eat, and clothes to wear. As followers of Jesus, we know it is important to use our gifts to help others. This makes Jesus proud of us, not angry.
Response Activity Ideas
“That’s NOT OK” Anti-Bullying Poster
Sadly, we see people being put down for a lot of reasons – because of their looks, gender, skin colour, strengths and abilities, etc. In today’s Children’s Story, Erin asked us to call out when we see things that aren’t right, and to respond with love and fairness.
Make a poster digitally or by hand using the phrase “It’s…” or “That’s NOT OK!” and include some positive messages or images about the rights of others.
Spending our money
Materials: envelopes/containers, play money ($450 in small bills), sticky notes, writing tools
What do you think the money collected at BCUC get spent on? What are things you think we should prioritize as a church? As you think of the things BCUC needs money for (building maintenance, staff salaries…) or gives money to (SOSA…), label the containers or envelopes with a sticky note for the different budget needs you come up with.
Using the $450, (pretending it’s $450 thousand), share the money between the containers as you see fit. What are things you think we should prioritize as a church? Do you and other family members agree with each other?
Today is the Annual General Meeting to review the church budget and other issues. If you received the budget information (emailed to congregants Feb. 26), have a look at the BCUC Budget Summary for this year. What similarities and differences from your containers? What did you miss? Are there different things the church should be prioritizing, in your mind?
Illustrated Ministry Lenten Package
Sometimes it’s hard to make decisions about tough questions of right or wrong, and it helps to talk it through with someone with more experience. Follow the ideas on page 30 to gain some wisdom from older people you know, and enjoy colouring this week’s colouring sheet on page 33.
(Note: If you have not received a Lenten package and would like one, please contact the church office)