John 2:15 English Standard Version (ESV) And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.
This is a famous scene from scripture. We all remember how Jesus cried out “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matt. 21:13 where the focus at the table was what was done there.
We all have a table which belongs to us. It is not us but represents what we do and provide. Is it a merchants table or is it a dining table?
Psalm 23:5 English Standard Version (ESV) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Do we place the Lord’s provisions upon our table to glorify God or do we choose those things of our own making to be seen of us?
We can all understand that but there is a deeper underlying meaning that is often overlooked.
The placement of the merchant’s tables was where non-Jews were allowed access to come and worship God. It was a hindrance for non-Jews to come before God. Where we place our tables of merchandise, anything that scream of self-interest, hinders the lost in their search for God.
At one time we were all lost sheep that had gone astray. We are blessed to be the Lord’s anointed. As such we should see to it that our tables serve to the interests of the Lord, not our own.