Gospel lk 19:45-48 Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive outthose who were selling things, saying to them,“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,but you have made it a den of thieves.”And every day he was teaching in the temple area.The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,were seeking to put him to death,but they could find no way to accomplish their purposebecause all the people were hanging on his words. Meditation: Why did Jesus drive out the money changers in the temple at Jerusalem? Was he upset with their greediness? This is the only incident in the Gospels where we see Jesus using physical force. Jesus went to Jerusalem, knowing he would meet certain death on the cross, but victory as well for our sake. His act of judgment in the temple is meant to be a prophetic sign and warning to the people that God takes our worship very seriously. In this incident we see Jesus startling and swift action in cleansing the temple of those who were using it to exploit the worshipers of God. The money changers took advantage of the poor and forced them to pay many times more than was right - in the house of God no less! Their robbery of the poor was not only dishonoring to God but unjust toward their neighbor In justification for his audacious action Jesus quotes from the prophets Isaiah (Isaiah 56:7) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:11). His act of judgment aims to purify the worship of Gods people and to discipline their erring ways. Despite the objections of the religious leaders, no doubt because Jesus was usurping their authority in the house of God, the people who listened to Jesus teaching daily in the temple regarded him with great awe and respect. Luke tells us that they hung upon Jesus words (Luke 19:48). How hungry are you for Gods word?
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 23:17:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015