Jesus went into the temple complex and drove out all those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves.

And He said to them, “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves!”

The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple complex, and He healed them.

When the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonders that He did and the children shouting in the temple complex, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant.

Opening scene: Disciples Joel, Mary sitting quietly reading.

Enter John, running in excitedly

Jesus has created a huge drama at the temple just now…

I ran away as fast as I could as I felt afraid!

It was very noisy in the outer court with lots of people negotiating and arguing with the traders.

And Jesus stopped right there and looked around without saying anything for a while, then he closed his eyes and seemed to be praying silently…

There was chaos as the lambs escaped their stalls and started running around and there were traders trying to catch their escaping doves and coins were falling everywhere…

He got to the end of the court and climbed onto the step there, and said in his big voice that miraculously carried through the noise…

I am so angry! I don’t know why on earth Jesus created such a scene!

they are cheaters and liars!

Jesus said:

“I proclaim good news that brings great joy to all people!”

and he said:

“He that believes in me shall never hunger, never thirst!”

and

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!”

It means also loving what God loves, which is all people, and standing up for the weak and vulnerable people.

If we follow Jesus’ example, sometimes it means stirring up trouble with the authorities to expose the wrongs of the system.

The strongest among us can topple the tables at the temple and get arrested and raise awareness and get people talking.

Some others can create alternative ways for people to offer their sacrifices at the temple without cheating them

Others can spread the word, tell their friends and relations and passers by that they support the efforts

Still others can simply pray.

I have to think further about what you have just said… that taking a stand against injustice is part of being a disciple.

And I have to think about what it is possible for me to do.

I can imagine Pete and Andy joining Jesus in toppling tables but that’s just not my style…

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

But we also face new injustices.

Is there an injustice that resonates with you?

Is there an injustice that moves you to action?

How can you respond to injustices as an individual Christian?

How can we respond to injustices collectively as a church?

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.