For the observant ones among us, you probably noticed some merch displays in the lobbies of our campuses. Bethlehem Church merch is here! But wait. Isn’t there a story in the Bible about selling stuff in temple lobbies…and a particularly angry Son of God flipping those tables?

As it happens, there is a very famous and very misunderstood story of Jesus in the temple. It goes like this:

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Mark 11:15-18

Those words have some bite! Jesus wasn’t just the kind, well-groomed Middle Eastern man illustrated in all the pictures we see. But what is actually happening here? Why did Jesus flip the tables? And would He flip our merch tables, even though we’re selling hoodies, not doves?

To really understand, you must understand Jewish law and how the temple functioned. The point of the temple was to allow people to connect with God and all nations to pray to God. Many people would travel from all around to make sacrifices to atone for sins at the temple, as described by the Old Testament law. But instead of bringing animals great distances, people would often bring money to purchase a suitable sacrifice.

Taking advantage of this, money changers and sellers would jack up prices higher than was ever reasonable – like what we pay for a hot dog at a ballpark. (If Costco can keep their hot dogs $1.50, why can’t Truist Park? But I digress…)

People NEEDED these sacrificial animals to worship God. And other people took advantage. Jesus said they were a “den of robbers”!

The point is that Jesus is always angry when someone gets in the way of others coming to God. You see that anger directed towards the Pharisees, the money changers, and even the disciples keeping the little children from coming to Him (Mark 10:13-14).

Heart check: sometimes I get frustrated when someone takes “my” parking spot or “my” seat in the worship center. But if we want to make heaven crowded, that might mean our church gets crowded – and that should be exciting, even if it can be inconvenient!

So…would Jesus flip over the Bethlehem merch tables? I say no.

You can worship God in a Bethlehem hoodie, a nice golf polo, or an off-brand t-shirt from Goodwill. At Bethlehem Church, we invite you to come as you are. Remember, “man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

So why? If it’s not necessary, why have a Bethlehem Church merch store? Two simple reasons:

1.  Y’all we’re asking for it! Many people across our church wanted some swag that they could wear out in the community and point back to their church. We love that!

2.  Every purchase supports Global Missions! As a bonus, any small proceeds from our merch store directly support our Global Missions efforts. Purchase with a purpose!

Want to order merch directly to your front door? Check it out here!