Kristen Henderlong

So what happens when it falls apart?

What happens when everything you thought you could stand on is ripped out from under you because the darkness took over?

Maybe someone betrayed you? Maybe a loved one has passed away?  Maybe you were fired, didn’t make the cut, or you became handicapped?  Maybe you lost your home, can’t make enough money, had a miscarriage or found out someone you cared about is a liar?

There are so many tragic, unspeakable things that can happen in this life.  It’s earth shattering and faith shaking when we reflect on the realities of pain and suffering around us.  Like you, it makes me afraid, want to run and crawl into a hole.  But don’t you also just feel a little bit angry?  Or maybe a lot angry?

I don’t mean angry as in frustrated and irritated.  I don’t mean the kind of selfish anger when my pride is crapped on and I’m offended.  I mean the kind of anger that burns inside me from injustice.  The kind that makes me tremble and brings me to my knees in anguish because…

This…is not… of God.

In the Gospel of Mark it is recorded:

“When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices.  He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”” (Mark 11:15-17).

Picture yourself there in that moment.  These people were Jewish.  You couldn’t be in the Temple if you weren’t. They knew the law, they knew what the Scriptures said.  They knew what they were doing, but business is business.  Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, make some money, sell the doves, am I right?—it became the new norm.  I am sure you know what that’s like… I know I do.  As long as it’s ‘socially’ acceptable, it must be ok.  Nobody was brave enough to go against the grain and call it hogwash… except Jesus.

I can imagine the ocean-deep, all-consuming and palpable look in His eyes of passion for His Father… and anger for the injustice in His house.  This moment was not a temper tantrum of hate or offense.  It was an undeniable statement of desperate love for what the people were overlooking and perverting.

I know you might be thinking, “ok, what’s the big deal? They were making some extra cash.  Whoopdiedo they were breaking a little rule—How does that relate to the massive injustice and evil we see happening in the world every day?… how does this relate to the tragedies, the slavery, the corruption of pedophiles, murderers and other unspeakable evils?”

I hear you.  I see your point.  I do.

So consider this: If Jesus’ passion for God’s house moved Him to anger because of some loose change, imagine the wrath of our God in response to the injustices just mentioned.

Again, it’s not God saying, “How dare you disrespect me and my house- my things?”  It’s more like “How dare you jeopardize my relationship with my children, bully them, pervert what’s sacred and defile what I made good?”

To further my point, read Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.  He wrote, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Cor. 6:19-20 emphasis added).

Do you see where His passion comes from now?  Jesus, being one with His Father, knew then plan that He had to die for us, conquer sin and death by rising again and then the Holy Spirit would come and make His home in us when we receive the truth.  Which means Jesus’ jealousy for God’s house was for US… God’s house, His home, is in you and me.  We are His temple… His dwelling place.  Anything that comes to pervert or defile you, Jesus and His Father will rebuke and protect. 

The evil in the world unfortunately is inevitable because there is an enemy at work and because of him, sin runs rampant in efforts to separate us from God.  But someone I admire very much once said, “God’s response to ‘where is justice?’ is JESUS.”  Jesus came to die a sinners death, to conquer the grave and defy the evils at work.  It’s already done.

So the point here is: Jesus’ actions all those years ago in the Temple, to this day, beckon us to that kind of devotion to our Savior.  A kind of holy-fire anger that compels us to stand against the schemes of the enemy and fiercely, unapologetically embrace our God and His house (His people).  This is how we overcome the world… through Him.

When everything falls apart… whether it makes you angry, sad, confused, or defeated… Jesus calls us to Himself.  A deep devotion and passion for connection with Him and His people… “My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (vs. 17 emphasis added).

Prayer represents relationship with Him and all nations represents us— His people.  In the midst of what’s being perverted in our lives, we can boldly defy the brokenness, speak life and express our devotion to the One who is true.

He never promised an easy, comfortable life.  So why do we expect one?  He literally said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33).

However, do you know what He DID promise?  If you read the first part of verse 33 in John 16, Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me” (John 16:33a).  And just to further confirm His promise of peace He also said this in chapter 14 of the book of John: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor be afraid” (John 14:27 emphasis added).  So in the world we will experience trouble, but our hearts do not have to be troubled.

He wants to transform lives and destroy evil through us.  We have to claim His victory and overturn the tables of injustice with His power in us; turning to Jesus with every step, bringing others with us.  Let that overwhelming emotion of just anger fuel your fire.

Go in His peace.

Remember: You are Loved.