stephen R Harrison

“In the Temple”

“When Jesus entered the temple courts,

he began to drive out those who were selling.”

-Luke 19:45

Once again, we find Jesus driving the money changers and merchants out of the temple towards the end of his ministry. He did this at the beginning of his ministry (see Sunday, Week 4 Day 19). He cleared the temple and seemed angry – he had a whip and flipped over tables. Are we allowed to be angry? Can we do whatever we want to justify the result? This wasn’t the heart nor the actions of Jesus that day. As Jesus entered the outer temple courts, he saw money being changed from denarius to shekels so people could pay their temple tax. It was customary for essential animals to be made available for people to practice their worship responsibilities during Passover. However, Jesus looked beyond the normal essential temple activities. He saw the greedy, wicked hearts of the money changers and merchants. 

They proved they were more interested in money, inflating the exchange rates and extorting the sacrificial system. Jesus cannot stand to see how people had turned worship into profit. They had defiled God’s house and took advantage of God’s people. He cleared the temple, not because he didn’t want them there. He didn’t clear the temple as if to say, “I can’t handle your sin, so get out until I can figure out what to do next”. He wanted people to draw near to God. He cleared the temple because religious leaders were profiting off people drawing near to God. The temple had become a den of thieves instead of a house of prayer. 

Jesus loved those entering the temple and wanted the best for them. He was not out of control that day in an angry rage. I believe he displayed holy indignation at more than the actions of that moment. He was upending the entire religious system as he overturned tables. No longer would people need to bring animals to sacrifice as he would be the ultimate once-for-all sacrifice for sin. He would die in their place and offer peace with God for those who accepted his gift of salvation.

Isaiah 56:7 calls God’s house one of prayer for all nations. The temple had been a place of sacrifices for only Israel, but no longer was that needed. In fact, any sacrifices made after Jesus’ death were a waste of time, energy, and money. He would now transform lives through his sacrifice. Now, people could approach the throne of God personally with confidence as the veil of the temple had been torn in two (Matthew 27:51). Why was it to be a house of prayer? Prayer is our way to commune with God in a personal way. He drove out the sellers of goods as the one who would be a giver of his life. He ushered in a new temple purpose – one beyond its four walls where we could pray to God anywhere, anytime, about anything through the Spirit of God who lives in us as the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). 

As we continue this Holy Week, may we pray to the one who has made us his temple and purges us from wickedness and sin.

Questions: 

How is your prayer life?

What sin does Jesus need to drive out of your life as the temple of God? 

Prayer:

Jesus, we are grateful for your Spirit that lives in us as God’s temple. We need you to drive the sin and corruption from our lives. Turn over our hearts. Help us live in constant prayer in our relationship with you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Read: 

Luke 19:45-48

Action Step:

Block out a 15-30 minute window of prayer today. Begin by asking the Lord to purge your life of corruption and wickedness hindering your relationship with him. How do you need him to transform your prayer life this year?