And Then There was Monday

 ¹² Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ¹³ “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’ ”

Yesterday, Jesus was celebrated with shouts of praise all over our country and world as churches remembered this special day and what it represented...Palm Sunday; a day that Jesus entered into the city of Jerusalem.  "Hosanna" they would shout.  "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord".  "Salvation is here!"  "Hosanna, God is with us!"  Jesus was riding in on a donkey as a humble servant, entering a place he had not been to for over 30 years.


On this Monday 2000 years ago, we see a very different side to the personality of Christ.  Jesus returned to the temple - GOD'S HOUSE, and there was activity occurring that was inappropriate to worship.  Not only were people using the temple for their own personal gain, the people had lost their focus - they lost their first love.  They were so concerned with a ritual, religious acts and making a profit.  Jesus entered HIS HOUSE and was outraged!  "My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’"  He yelled at them, turned over tables, got right in their faces and pointed His finger at them.  I could imagine His saying, "YOU FOOLS!  DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE DOING?"


You see, Jesus was returning to the temple - a dwelling place of God and the Spirit of God.  Jesus was returning to make all the wrongs right this week.  Jesus was entering the temple to clean up the mess that sin and selfishness created, and all for the name of God.  What a scene.  This is what Jesus dealt with on this Monday.


So, for you and me this Monday, are we selfish?  Are we religious in our actions all for the sake of our own gain and not for the gain of Jesus Christ?  If Jesus were to walk into our house, would he be furious, outraged, righteous in His actions of anger towards us, or would he be at rest and pleased?  What a reminder on this Monday to clean our house.  Prepare the way of the Lord.  He desires ALL OF OUR LIVES.  Give Him your life today.