“Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”
But the leaders were indignant. They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.”
Matthew 21:12-17
As disciples of the Lord, Jesus Christ, let us re-trace the steps and actions of our Savior during this Holy Week.
On Monday of that week, scripture records this episode in the Temple. Remember, this was a Holy Week for Him too. It was the week that all Jews came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, one of their most holy days.
Thousands upon thousands of good, God-fearing people coming to offer their sacrifices and worship. Coming to find healing, forgiveness, or peace. Coming to connect with the Great I AM. And what did they find?
Swindlers, cheaters, and spiritual prostitutes. People who were more concerned about taking their money than providing a meaningful worship experience. And these pilgrims were at the mercy of those who would take advantage of them. This system was set up to require a certain type of sacrifice and a certain kind of money. And the only place to get these required items were from the merchants and sellers conveniently set up in the house of worship.
No wonder Jesus was angry. No wonder He was moved to throw an epic fit in the midst of the chaos. Can you imagine it? Could you imagine your own pastor storming into church, turning over furniture, and throwing people out because of the farce we had made of worship?
Let me ask you a question. If you only had a week left to live, what would you do? What would you say? Only the most important things, right? And so did Jesus.
So I encourage you to spend time each day this week, immersed in the scriptures that document His activities. Search them. Pray over them. Ask the Lord what He is saying to you. And finally, meditate deeply on how you are being called to respond.
This is the deep work of the Spirit, my friends. Drink deeply from the fountain of our Lord’s revelation and be blessed by it.
Amen
If you are truly serious about keeping this week holy, I suggest you start here. This song and video are not easy. But they speak truth into what this week is all about .
Song of the Day: Yes, I Will… –Bebo Norman
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