Why did Jesus drive out those who sold and bought in the temple? It seems an extreme act to become so angry and flip tables. Was money the only issue, or even the biggest issue? Jesus does mention that the moneychangers were essentially robbers. But perhaps the bigger issue is what the Temple was intended to be and what it had become. It clearly was never meant to be “a den of robbers” but “a house of prayer.” A house of prayer “for all peoples,” it says.
The moneychangers were in the “Court of the Gentiles,” that’s basically equivalent to where Gentiles (non-Jews/” the nations”) would worship. As you can imagine that would obstruct worship. It would be a hindrance from Gentiles, “the nations,” from worshiping the Lord. This is the converse, as Jesus pointed out, of what Isaiah said: “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Is. 56:7).
May we never prevent or hinder people from coming to the LORD, even if they are convenient or important things that we don’t want to give up. May we work to destroy unnecessary stumbling blocks. And may the church be a house and family that welcomes all people in!