Day 6

In and around the Temple...

Matthew 21:10-17 NIV84

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a den of robbers.'"

The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.

"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.

"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"

And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

In what ways did Jesus stir things up in the temple?

How did the different groups react to the stir: the disabled? the priests and teachers? the children?

When Jesus enters a place He stirs things up: convicting, healing, cleaning up. What has He stirred up in you during your walk as His disciple? How do you feel about it? Are you drawn to Him with praise? Or does a spirit of indignation take over?

As a Believer, you are the temple of God, the place where His Spirit resides. Would you describe it as a "house of prayer"? or a "den of robbers"?

 Father God, make me open to the cleansing of the "temple". May my heart --- my mind, will, and emotion --- be a place that is pleasing to You.

Holy Land exhibit. Taken by Peetie Edwards.