Be Bold: Challenge the Status Quo

This is our B moment. Our moment to be still…to be fed by the Word of God…to be grateful.

Scripture reference: James 4:17 (ESV)

Transcription:

Today I am thinking about those times when you must challenge the status quo.

I am reminded of the Scriptural reference, “Be bold as a lion but gentle as a lamb.” Jesus was described as having the qualities of both. I think it’s fair to say that being bold as a lion is necessary when challenging the status quo.

This is exactly what Jesus did when he saw that the temple had become a marketplace. The Israelites were coming to Jerusalem from all over to celebrate Passover. In addition to the tithes that they paid when they arrived, which were a tenth of their earnings, there was also a temple tax that they had to pay for the upkeep of the temple.

Because the Israelites traveled from several different places, they arrived with multiple currencies. Therefore, there were money changers on hand to exchange those currencies—at a premium exchange rate, of course. Since it was Passover, people in the temple were also selling animals to be sacrificed.

It was clear that the central objective of the whole operation was to get as much money out of the people as they could. This made it much more like a marketplace than a house of worship. This is when Jesus became as bold as a lion and chased these people out.

Do you need to challenge the status quo in your community or maybe even your place of worship? Take a moment to think about that, and also take a moment to watch me on the Blues to Blessings YouTube channel as I do a little challenging myself. But before you do that, remember these words: “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:17 (ESV)

Share today’s message and watch B Moments every Wednesday on the Blues to Blessings YouTube channel.

So today, be bold.