Monday - April 11
Over the course of this week, we will be coming alongside Christians all over the world as we observe Holy Week. This is an opportunity to take a deeper look into the final days of Jesus’ life before the crucifixion. Instead of reading these passages again and growing numb to hearing the same text, consider the fact our God’s word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). God in His grandeur and infinite wisdom is using the Gospel story to inform our daily lives. We encourage you to notice how the Holy Spirit will provide revelation as to how His story intertwines with yours. With the victory of Resurrection Sunday in sight, we move forward in the text with anticipation.
JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; John 2:13-17; Psalm 139:23-24
OBSERVATION
The morning after the Triumphal Entry, Jesus made his way to Jerusalem’s Temple and expressed a righteous anger over the sin the Jews were blatantly committing. A place meant for His people to devote themselves fully in prayer, was perverted by the schemes of unscrupulous dealing. Fully justified as one without sin, Jesus rebukes the Jews in the temple for their actions. Later in the text of Matthew, we see people worshiping Him in response to His teaching and the miracles He has performed. A man full of strength and authority, yet lowly and gracious in the same breath.
Let’s set the scene. It’s morning and you’ve just entered the temple. As you walk through the long hall with 80 ft. beams lining the way, you hear the loud chatter of your fellow Jews as they barter over sacrificial animals. You note in your head the animal’s cost had significantly increased since last year, but you’re interrupted by an echoing crash of tables that once held pigeon cages. The chaos causes you to break out in a cold sweat that reaches your fingertips as coins jingle across the ground and a man yells in rage. Do you recognize him? Do his words well up a deep conviction? Today—in real time—where do you find yourself? Has the Holy Spirit been convicting you over any area of sin in your life? How are you responding? Are you ignoring Him or are you responding with confession and repentance? Jesus takes the issue of sin seriously and so should we.
PRAY
Spend time with the Lord this morning and ask Him to reveal any area(s) in your life that goes against what He would have for you.
