Devotion by Pastor Barbara B Caine for Wednesday, August 19, 2020[1]
John 2:14-16
14 In the temple [Jesus] found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”[2]
What incredible Christians our young people are growing into! Yesterday, at Zoom confirmation class, we talked about Jesus overturning the tables at the temple. Some of them were familiar with this story, some were not, which isn’t surprising. You don’t necessarily tell children that an adult walked into the temple and started throwing tables around, let alone Jesus, of all people!! But they got it. They understood.
Each one nodded when asked if they understood why Jesus did what he did. Again, each one nodded when asked if they had a time that they had felt the way Jesus had felt. They know the frustration of seeing people treated unfairly. They may be young, but they know what righteous anger is.
The part that blew me away was that each had stories they could tell. We only had time for one story shared, but, yet again, they all nodded their heads in understanding. Someone was treating a friend badly on the bus for the kind of music they listen to. This Confirmand stood up for them and was taken aside “because they thought I was starting an argument. I explained the situation.” “And were you listed to? Did they believe you?” I asked. “Yes, I was. Everyone knew what had happened.” Now this young person didn’t think too much of it, but I am sure that a big part of why this one was listened to is because their Christianity shines through.
Because of their upbringing, because of their innate sense of fairness, because of their baptism, because, from the time of their birth, they have walked in the faith of their families, these young people are standing up, stating truth, and putting themselves out there in love and in grace. Awesome!
And it isn’t just the youth. All of you get it. All of us try to stand up. All of us are a part of God’s intention to, as Daniel Erlander, theologian puts it, mend the entire universe! I’m so grateful for all of you and the impact you are making! Amen!
In Christ,
Pastor Barbara
[1] DaveKing/Flickr https://images.app.goo.gl/qff659BH3ZSFaP1C7
[2] See also Matt 21:12; Mark 11: 15b; Luke 19:45 Harper Bibles. NRSV Bible HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.