The County Fair On The Temple Court
Picture your local county fair... especially the first couple of days. Animals all over the place. The air is thick with the sound of sheep and birds (doves). And wall to wall people tens of thousands fill the space.
Now lock on that image and transport yourself back to Jerusalem, 33AD.
The ATM's in your picture are money changing booths. Sheep and doves are the main animals. The sheep are being inspected by the assigned priests for the upcoming Passover meal. Every family needs a blemish free lamb and that determination comes from the priests so at least one member of every family in Jerusalem has to visit the temple courts on this first day. The lambs need to be approved TODAY - the first day - according to rabbinic law.
The only money that can be used in the temple is the Tyrian Shekel. The Roman money pronounces Caesar as God! The cost of the conversion was about 8%. Where did the money go? To the person running the exchange. It's interesting, Tax collectors were ostracized but this was sanctioned extortion right on the temple grounds. If you came to the temple with a perfect lamb, you did not anticipate the need to convert your money. You stand in a long line and it's finally you're turn. You proudly present your blemish-free lamb to the priest. "Sorry," says the priest, "The lamb is not approved". No reason. We don't have time to discuss. "You can leave your lamb here and we'll give you a discount on an approved, blemish-free lamb". You get a voucher, give him your lamb. Then you go get in line to exchange your Roman coinage for Tyrian Shekels. Then you get back in line with your voucher and your Shekels and purchase an approved, blemish-free lamb. You notice something. this looks very much like the same lamb that you just handed over! That can't be the case, and you write it off is coincidence. Lambs look alike.
But it did just happen to be the lamb you turned over. It was YOUR lamb. You can't say anything because you would be accusing a priest of cheating you. You quietly go on your way.
While that is a made-up scenario, it could have been entirely possible. Jesus, of course, knows this.
Today, we walk with Jesus into this scene to see how He deals with it.
Notes for the County Fair on the Temple Court
Episode Link:
https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-county-fair-on-the-temple-court/
