It only took a day for the crowds go silent and turn against Jesus. Only a day ago, He had been honored as the promised Messiah – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The next morning, He was faced with corruption beyond belief. Merchants and money changers had set up a sort of farmer’s market for all the visitors coming to town for the Passover celebration. They used this opportunity to line their pockets, but Jesus was anything but happy about the situation – and rightly so. This was His Father’s house. It was being used to peddle wares and cheat others.by bargaining for an exorbitant price.

Part of His earthly mission was to clean up the unscrupulous behavior of the church leadership. They were also putting more money into the temple treasury by allowing this to happen. Not only that, but they had also turned their rituals into requirements of the people and were using that to extort payment from them. Jesus was outraged. It’s hard to imagine Him as anything but kind, compassionate and gentle, but this was like a slap in the face to Him. One that would sting as much as the lash that crossed His back later that week.  Jesus was demonstrating the wrath of God when He overturned the tables, scattering everything and causing a major disruption. This act showed his divine righteousness along with human reaction.

God wants complete attention when it comes to our worship life.  He is jealous and rightly so.  He created us – loves us unconditionally – gave His life for us.   Is our worship life slipping away?  Do we revere God the way we should?  Is He first?  Have we turned our hearts to other things or is He at the forefront of our adoration? Jesus was righteously angry at what had become of His Father’s house.  How would He react to our worship today? Before we make judgments of this event, let’s stop and consider our own lives first. This day of Holy Week should open our eyes to what our intention is when we attend God’s house. We are all sinners and rightly deserve punishment. God gave us the perfect solution by paying the price Himself. That is unconditional love.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!