The cleansing of the temple

We came to Jerusalem tired and overawed that day - it was a long way from home. But it was important to us to present our sacrifice of worship, as God had told us to do.

As we entered the temple area we were astonished. We had expected to be awestruck by this holy place. But the first thing we noticed was the marketplace of stalls. Moneychangers and animal sellers shouted their wares and it was chaotic. Not like a place of worship at all.

But we had to buy doves for the sacrifice, and change money for the offering. So we approached the nearest stall. When he told us the price we laughed out loud. What did he take us for? Idiots? Noone would pay that much for a pair of doves, however perfect.

Our laughter grew less certain and more desperate as we went from stall to stall searching for an honest stallkeeper. They were all charging enormous amounts for birds, and the rate of exchange for the money was ridiculous.

It was bewildering - here in God's temple noone cared that we had come to worship God, just about getting money out of us.

Nowhere had reasonable rates and we had to have coins for the offering, so we exchanged our money - but that left precious little of our savings for the doves for the sacrifice.

"One last try", we said to each other as we approached yet another stall "then we'll have to go away and try to work out where we're going to find some more money to afford these prices - otherwise we won't be able to offer a sacrifice at all".

"How much for a pair of doves?" my husband asked. The reply was as we had come to expect - at least twice what we thought reasonable or could afford.

"Look", said my husband "This is for the sacrifice God requires. We can't afford more. What is more important to you - God's worship or money?"

"Look. If you can't afford them, go away" he said. "Why should I care about your sacrifice more than anyone else's? If I let you have them cheap I'll have everyone clamouring for cheap stuff - and how would I make a living?"

Just then there was a commotion nearby. An angry man had come into the temple and was laying about him with a whip, scattering stalls, animals and money everywhere. "Where is your respect?" he was shouting, "Get out! How dare you turn this place of worship into a marketplace? God said his temple should be a house of prayer and you're making money cheating people who've come to worship!"

At this the stallholder looked around him distractedly. He turned to his assistant and told him to pack away - fast. Then he turned back to us.

"Here, take these" he said, thrusting two doves into my husband's astonished hands. "I'm getting out of here, that guy frightens me". And without even waiting to take the money we'd offered for the doves, he was gone.