Holy Monday

Read all of Matthew 21:12-22

¹² And 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. ¹³ He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” 

This is the Jesus we are not often accustomed to. We know of Jesus teaching or healing. We know of Jesus withdrawing to pray or socialising as He speaks to people. But this is a tad surprising, almost uncomfortable. He seems angry (holy anger, different to a selfish and reckless anger) and He is acting out His dislike for what is happening. What motivated this reaction? Jesus is heartbroken that:

a. A house of prayer became a place of distracting entertainment / business

b. In the name of worship, people were been ripped off by profiteering merchants 

A couple of question for reflection & action

• What role does prayer play in our lives? Jesus didn’t call the temple a ‘house of teaching’ or a ‘house of fellowship’ but a house of prayer? Is our church a praying church? Is that evident on Sundays or mid week gatherings? Is my life a life of prayer? Are our homes – ‘homes of prayer? Let’s ponder, review, restart afresh – giving prayer a primary role in our lives!

• Are we profiteering and exploiting others? Are we fair and honourable in our workplaces? Are we ever in danger of bringing the Lord’s name in disrepute through ‘shady’ practices? Let’s ask Him to grow in us an integrity that would reflect well with those around us – being salt and light in our communities