Journey to Easter Sunday - Monday - Jesus Clears the Temple
What a day it was on Sunday - the celebration of Jesus entering into Jerusalem and the excitement from the people. There was music, dancing, cheering and more. What a great celebration of Jesus - the Messiah.
I can imagine the next day was still filled with anticipation to meet with Jesus again and to hear from Him in the temple. Today, we would have made flyers and been all over Instagram, Twitter and Facebook announcing when Jesus was going to be at the temple for everyone to come and hear him teach. Let me share with you what Matthew, Mark and Luke recorded from scripture as Jesus entered into the temple...
Matthew 21:12,13
12 Jesus entered the temple courts 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
Mark 11:15-17
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’
Luke 19:45,46
45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling.
46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers."
We must understand that it was the Passover Festival, and people were traveling from all over the region bringing their sacrifices to the Lord. Some of them traveled so far that they were unable to bring their sacrifice with them, so they were having to purchase one in Jerusalem. The money changers were taking full advantage of this opportunity to make money in the temple courts. This INFURIATED Jesus as he entered the courts. Can you imagine the scenario as people watched Jesus rebuke the money changers? Confusion, questions, doubt of the authority of this man called Jesus and more swirled around the thoughts of the people. At the center of this scene we see Jesus standing up for truth. He says, “My house will be a house of prayer.”
This is where I want to rest today - on prayer. We must be honest with ourselves today, analyze our lives and ask the question, “Are we more concerned with the things around Easter and the events of Easter and the celebration of Passover that we neglect to simply pause, pray and seek God first?” We might have great plans and be making great sacrifices for the Lord this week, but if we are not pausing to cover our week in prayer, then we are no better than the money changers who Jesus rebuked in the temple. Because of our schedules, we are robbing God of his rightful place as we worship Him this week.
Response:
It is time for us to pause and pray! Analyze your motives, schedule and intentions this week, even this day, and ask yourself the question, “How am I robbing God? Am I giving him first place in my life? Am I too busy that I have made plans before even pausing and praying to God and asking Him for leadership and direction in my life?” All of these questions will help you as you begin your day today.
How do you pray?
A - Acknowledge God for who He is and what He is doing in your life
C - Confess your sins to the Lord
T - Thank the Lord
S - Supplication - big word for pray for the needs in your life and for others in your life.
Here is a great song for you to listen to as you prepare for a great day with the Lord. LORD I NEED YOU
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