Monday’s Reading: Matthew 21:12-22, Mark 11:12-19, Luke 19:45-46, Luke 21:37-38
“Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21:12-13
After the Triumphal Entry, after the crowds are shouting Hosanna, the following day (Monday) Jesus arrived in Jerusalem and entered the temple. It is not a sweet and peaceful scene. This is kind of a scary one. Jesus only openly demonstrates outrage one time in Scripture and this is the time. Even when He’s beaten, scourged, and hung on a cross He is in complete composure, but this, this scene in the temple sets Him off, holy anger consumes Him and He’s enraged, overturning tables and chairs, driving out the peddlers, refusing to let anyone carry anything through the temple. Why? Because, as He said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.”
God intended the temple to be a sacred place where man and God commune, but people had turned a holy ritual it into a money-making venture.
Let’s think about this: They had turned a holy ritual into a money-making venture.
When we look to Jesus we see Him ticked off about letting sacred celebrations turn into crass commercialism, turn into a money-changing event.
FOCUS on the sacred celebration, not the Easter items to buy.
I’m always surprised at how strong the pull is to buy the latest seasonal items. Just last night I was looking at pastel-colored tops. For Easter, right?! Pretty sure I can still honor Jesus’ raising from the dead even if I’m not wearing pastel! 😉 Not saying seasonal shopping is bad, but it’s interesting how easily we are pulled into whatever the “must have” item is. This Easter, our church community is taking time to fast, a simple sacrifice to purposefully dis-engage from all the self-centered aspects of the holiday, and focus our hearts and minds on the incredible sacrifice Christ made for us.
What about you? What material items are most important to you during this season? Is there anything perhaps you could go without this year, for the same of simplifying and keeping the focus on the sacred celebration? Not saying every purchase is forbidden, or that a fast is required, but consider which purchases and indulgences are really necessary to help your family, and those around you, FOCUS on Christ. {Thanks for reading.}