Jesus & Monkey Business

Why Turning Over Tables Might Be the Most Holy Thing You’ll Ever Do

Have you ever considered the modern church and thought, “This looks more like monkey business than a ministry?”

You’re not wrong. Neither was Jesus.

Let’s clarify this: the Messiah did not die for performance culture. He flipped tables over it.

“And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought… He overturned the tables…” (Matthew 21:12, ESV)

Word Study:

• ἐξέβαλεν (exebalen) – “He threw out, drove out violently.”
• κατέστρεψεν τὰς τραπέζας (katestrepsen tas trapezas) – “He overturned the tables,” literally “to upend, to destroy structure.”

Jesus didn’t just object. He dismantled the mechanism of spiritual exploitation. Not politely. Not silently. Not with a consultation form.

What many call ‘rebellion’ was righteous reformation.

What people call ‘irreverent’ was the most holy disruption since Sinai.

Jesus was not performing for the crowd. He was clearing the stage for revival.

“Zeal for your house will consume me.” – John 2:17 (cf. Psalm 69:9)

In Hebrew, קִנְאַת בֵּיתְךָ תֹּאכְלֵנִי (kin’at beitecha to’cheleni) – “the zeal (jealous fire) for your house will eat me up.”

This wasn’t passive disappointment. It was holy jealousy.

To the watchers, critics and onlookers:

• Yes, I’ve flipped some tables.
• Yes, I’ve called out showmanship disguised as anointing.
• Yes, I’ve challenged authority structures that protect performance over people.

But before you accuse me of “stirring the pot”, remember that the first pot-stirrer was divine.

I didn’t come to entertain you. I came to say: This is my Father’s house. Not your stage.

Let’s not forget the wonderful humour of Jesus… savage, prophetic, purposeful humour.

“You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” – Matthew 23:24
“You whitewashed tombs… full of bones.” – v27
“You clean the outside of the cup…” – v25

You don’t say these things unless you’re mocking a system that mocks God.

This is holy satire. Divine irony and kingdom clown-slapping.

This is why I’ve laughed publicly at manipulation. Why I have responded with joy and fire. Why I’ve used satire to pierce deeper than logic ever could.

It’s not irreverence. It’s an inheritance.

Jesus wasn’t laughing with religion. He was laughing at it — and setting the captives free in the process.

You’ve seen the livestreams. You’ve felt the stirring. You’ve read the blog posts, the accusations, the book.

But here’s what you need to understand: this wasn’t monkey business. This was Messiah business.

I’m not sorry for exposing darkness and bringing light. I’m not sorry for the roaring laughter among the thousands in our movement. I’m not sorry that it looked wild. Jesus didn’t look tame when he came with a whip.

This is your invitation.
Not to the circus, but to the Kingdom.
Not to curated performances, but to burning altars.

“These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” – Isaiah 66:2

Come trembling. Laugh and weep as the presence of God manifests.

But know this: the flipping of tables was an invitation back to holiness.