Jesus entered the temple courts 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.’” - Matthew 21:12-13

Dear Jesus, you had zeal for the temple on the last Monday you would be on earth, because you had a deep desire that all people would know their Creator and the love he had for them. The temple was supposed to be the place where anyone could find God. And it had become a market where people worked hard to make a living and sometimes by unscrupulous practices. How your shepherd's heart must have burned to see your father's house exploited for mercantile? Your zeal to clean house also started the ball rolling for the men you confronted to plan your execution. You knew that would be the result. Yet, you did it anyway. How deep your love is that you would be the star player in the game that would kill you. All this was for me and my peace of conscience and eternal destiny under grace. I will purpose to think often and deeply about how you spent your last week for me. It makes my love for you grow and gives me a higher purpose to live. AMEN

God wants all people to be saved. So, when he moves to defend the ministry of his word, everyone better get out of his way.

Additional Readings: Psalm 19, Psalm 139:19-24, Isaiah 56:1-8, Hebrews 12:18-29