When does Righteousness turn to Ritual

Della and I went to see the first two episodes of season five of The Chosen yesterday. They did an excellent job with portraying many of the problems the Jewish people were experiencing at the time. But, for me I was extremely shook when Jonathan Roumie reenacted Jesus cleansing the temple.

Mark 11: 15-17 (ESV) “And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, ‘Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations?’ ‘But you have made it a den of robbers.’”

I have read that part of the scriptures many times before but did not grasp the powerful anger that Jesus had for the degradation of his Father’s house. In the movie he wrecked the place! He was one man, but they were all frightened of him. Righteous fury!

The purpose of migrating to the temple at that time of the year was for all to offer sacrifice for sin. It was to be a time of repentance and restoration with God. But it had become a free-for-all market of goods and services. It is mankind’s natural way to turn purity into corruption. If you don’t believe me, then look to the Garden of Eden.

I’ve been to churches where you could buy breakfast burritos before service, or clothing, or other stuff. I know you might call that a gray area, but it looks like a bad direction to me. I personally struggle when people ask me if I want to say grace before a meal. We can live reckless lives but as long as we stop at dinnertime and say grace we are good. Same with communion!

Blessing our meals and celebrating the Lord’s Supper must have a deep-rooted meaning to us. Each individual church must look to her ways and ask, “Have we fallen into ritual?” And we cannot excuse the fact that we might be giving the money to the poor.

Righteousness is righteous and ritual is corruption! Let’s guard ourselves and remain pure and true to the Lord.

Amen?