Mark 11:1-25
On The Steps
“The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”
The Temple, we’ve not actually been to the temple mount. It’s a Mosque now, and not available to those who of a different faith – save a few hours each day. But the Temple was HUGE and getting to the worship areas involved climbing many steps and going through many sections. The section we are stopping at today is one of 3 areas of Jerusalem we know with certainty that Jesus walked there.
It’s a treasured part of our time in Jerusalem. To sit on the steps leading into the Temple, to spend time on the very stones that Jesus will have walked on to enter into worship. He may well have stopped on them and taught, and in our passage today, reclaimed sacred space for God’s purposes. The stairs are irregular, with both original and replaced stones, which forced the faithful to pay attention as they ascended the alternating wide and narrow steps. It also prevented a hurried approach to the Temple, which would be tempting with the thousands of people here. Just think of all the bustling social interactions, the throngs chatting, the buying and selling, and the meeting of family and friends. It would have been a major event. Such an uneven pace up these stairs hopefully forced time for personal reflection on the solemnity of approaching God and leaving the noisy crowd behind. This very spot was the main entrance for the common man to enter into the Temple. There were 2 sets of gates at the entrance, both are still visible in the wall at the top of the steps. While sealed with stones in the Arab/Crusader times, the outlines of the arches are still visible.
It was necessary for people coming to the Temple needed to have animals and birds for offering sacrifices. Often, it was impractical for them to bring those offerings with them, making purchasing necessary. So, those who sold them made purchasing easy. Then, fully in human nature, some merchants chose to take advantage and created quite the inflated market with unfair prices and practices. No doubt, their behaviour prevented some travellers and faithful worshippers from entering into The Temple. That in turn will have prevented them from being able to come before God, for forgiveness or blessing. That will have made Jesus the angry teacher we read of in this passage. Mark notes that this behaviour caused the chief priests and teachers to fear him. I wonder if it was because of the sharp conviction they felt at his correction and righteous anger.
The question must be asked, would Jesus need to cleanse our “temple steps” if he were to arrive at our churches today? I fear the answer is a highly probable “yes”. We place expectations and restrictions (no, I’m not talking about Health and Safety issues for the prevention of COVID!!) on people attending. Do they dress and behave in suitable ways? Do they know the right people, sit in the right spot, know our Scriptures well enough, etc.?
It breaks my heart when I hear of someone who attended a church and was made to feel so unwelcome that they never went back. I know of instances that have seen folks criticized for their attire, or hair, or behaviour of their children. These responses can prevent the subject from being in God’s presence and among God’s people.
May we who are the Body of Christ, be willing to welcome in whomever wishes to worship with us (when number restrictions allow us to do so). May we not put blocks in their way, and may we not fear the teaching of God’s truth. And may we ask forgiveness for the times when we have been like those Jesus challenged on the step
Joyfully Yours 