Holy Week Devotional: Jesus Cleanses the Temple

SCRIPTURE:  MARK 11:15-19

When Jesus entered the temple and began driving out the money changers, He was not alone in His anger on the historic occasion.  Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus spoke from the prophets, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.”  These words were not lost on the chief priests and the scribes. 

First, the temple was to be a house of worship to everyone who believed from every tribe and tongue.  The leaders knew exactly why Jesus referenced this passage from Isaiah as they had twisted the court of the Gentiles into a place of sinister commerce.  God’s heart is for both Jew and Gentile alike.  No one is to be turned away from worshiping the Lord as they submit and believe in Him.  Second, Jesus said, ‘you have made [the temple] a den of robbers.”  The scribes knew this was an indictment by Jeremiah of leaders from the past who had blessed the Lord with their lips, but through their actions oppressed the orphan, widow, and worshiped idols.  The chief priests knew Jesus was calling them out.

As He cleansed the temple, Christ carried out the passion of a jealous God for His name to be represented accurately and His love for the nations to be made known.  The religious leaders were enraged by Jesus’ actions.  Their sin was exposed by the living Word of God.

Focus

May we live our lives for the glory of God in such a way to share His love with everyone around us.  Father, help the words of our mouths and the actions of our lives align with Your heart for the nations.  May we love You through the power of Your Holy Spirit, Amen.