Matthew 21:12-17

Matthew 21:12-17 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Think how hard it was to be a chief priest -- they knew they had to be indignant at Jesus, but every day he did something different that upset them.  Sometimes they were upset that he healed someone on the wrong day, and occasionally he ate dinner with the wrong people.  Here, Jesus is upset that commercial operations have completely taken over the central place for the worship of God and so he flips some tables over.  The chief priests were constantly upset, but because Jesus is interested in claiming and redeeming all of life, they could never be certain exactly what he would be doing next, so they just had to stay constantly mad, a slow simmer that occasionally erupted.
  It reminds me of the arguments I come across on the internet at times.  There are people on the internet who seem to be always upset about something, directing their anger at different sources depending on the day.  To try and talk them out of such emotions is fruitless -- they just need to be mad.
  Surely there were people who saw the constantly-angry chief priests and steered clear of the temple as a result.  They were afraid of accidentally offending someone and having wrath poured out upon them.
  What kind of atmosphere do we set in our churches?  Are we kind and gracious, displaying the type of patience that God pours out on us?  Do we receive any and all, selflessly loving friends and strangers?  Do we listen and attempt to understand all sides of an issue before rushing to judgment? 
  May God give us the grace to create a spirit-filled atmosphere that welcomes others in, rather than a place of judgment or anger that turns people away.