I participate in a weekly Bible Study by phone with a group
of chemically ill friends, and we were recently asked to write our thoughts on
John’s account of the cleansing of the temple. We all see the world through the
lens of our personal experiences, and my experiences with chemical illness
affect how I view scripture, as well. Here’s what I wrote.
***
Although there was segregation built into the design, the
temple was intended to be a place of worship for everyone, both Jew and Gentile.
In the Mark account, Jesus specifically says that it was to be a house of
prayer for all nations. I understand, however, that the money changers and
animal vendors had taken up residence in the court of the Gentiles. What was it
like to attempt to worship there?
Were there many Gentiles who worshipped Jehovah in those days? Did they keep coming and trying to
participate, even after the court was repurposed? Or did they just give up?
How many of the Jewish worshippers realized there was a
problem? Did they not see the issue, not
care, or just not think there was anything they could do? Did they shut their eyes to the plight of
their Gentile neighbors because of the convenience of having easy access to
money changers and the ability to quickly purchase what they needed?
I feel the plight of the Gentile would-be worshippers deeply.
Those of us with chemical illness know what it’s like to be shut out of worship.
We know what it’s like when people in charge prioritize things other than the
ability of everyone to access a worship space. We know what it’s like to be on
the outside looking in, longing for what so many people take for granted.
I love Jesus’s passion for the issue. I love that he cared
so much that he made a whip and used it. I love that he’s on the side of the
marginalized, ignored, and shut out.
What’s the counterpart for today? There are so many temples that need to be
cleansed of chemical barriers to worship. Lord, please open the eyes of people
who can make the changes. Please help those who can freely worship in communal
spaces care about those of us who can’t. Thank you for the reminder of how much
you yourself feel our pain.
