Price-gouging means that someone offers little in exchange for much. It is not a new concept. Faithful Jews were coming to the temple to offer God worship. Unfaithful Jews were selling over-priced offerings of oxen, sheep, pigeons, and even official money with a healthy mark-up (John 2:14). Religion was big business, and at Passover, business was good.
Jesus came to the temple and made appropriate corrections with a whip and overturned tables (John 2:15). The unfaithful Jews wanted a sign to validate Jesus’ actions, so He said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). They totally misunderstood the meaning. They thought He was talking about the physical temple in Jerusalem, but Jesus was actually talking about His own death and resurrection. The Jews’ familiarity with the Scriptures did not help their carnal minds to understand and apply the Scriptures; otherwise, they would not have been price-gouging.
Today, there are still too many who misunderstand the Scriptures and Jesus. True worship is no more a business venture today than it was in the first century. To go a step further, God is the exact opposite of a price-gouger. He offers much in exchange for little. Because Jesus’ body was destroyed and rebuilt three days later, the offer of salvation is made. It is up to us to respond to that sacrifice and take God up on His offer of eternal life. Let’s sit down and study God’s offer over an open Bible.
Be sure to drop by when we are no longer staying at home!
Photo by Michelle Ziling Ou on Unsplash
