Daily Devotionals

Trouble Maker Week 4: Friday

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Matthew 21:12-13

There are a few instances in Scripture where Jesus is described as visibly angry. One of these instances is found in Matthew 21. A group of religious leaders had created a system of buying and selling animals to be sacrificed in the temple that completely took advantage of those buying animals. These religious leaders would raise the prices of the animals for a profit. In other words, they were taking advantage of people simply wanting to buy sacrifices to God, and Jesus was not pleased at all. 

When Jesus came on the scene and discovered what was happening in the temple, He immediately began driving out everyone buying and selling things. Matthew tells us that Jesus “knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves” (verse 12). This is an interesting picture to imagine of Jesus knocking over tables and driving everyone out of the temple. However, He was not just emotionally angry; He was visibly angry. He said to the money changers and people selling animals for sacrifice: “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Jesus was furious because people had turned the temple into a selling place and had taken advantage of people wanting to purchase animals for sacrifice.

 What did Jesus say to focus on instead of financial endeavors in the temple? Prayer. This is an interesting shift. It is true, however, that when we pray, we focus on God and align our hearts with His. We shift our eyes off ourselves and the temptations and distractions and back on to Him.

Where are you currently distracted? Where is your focus? Today is the day for house cleaning, Jesus style. Get rid of anything that is holding you back from following Him.

Moving toward action

Spend some time praying to God today. Talk to Him about what is on your mind. Tell Him what you are excited about and where you need help. Set your mind and your heart on Him. He wants to hear from you.

Going Deeper

Matthew 21:1-17 (NLT)

"As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem,
‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.

8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!”

10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.

11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Jesus Clears the Temple
12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”

14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”

But the leaders were indignant. 16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight."