The Week That Changed The World Devotional February 20
by David Joynt on February 20, 2024
Stress Test Devotional April 27
April 27, 2024
MARK 11:15-16 | 15 Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves, 16 and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple.
Jesus condemns unrighteous anger for disciples. But anger at the right things in the right proportions, exercised in the right way is necessary too. Jesus took control of the greatest institution in Israel, the Temple, and suspended its operations. He stopped those who were “buying and selling” and cast them out. The word here is literally “exorcised” them. There were many changers who accepted pagan coins with illicit images for Temple worthy equivalents and also dove sellers who sold their birds for pilgrims to conveniently use for sacrifices. Jesus completely disrupted these activities and the rituals they made possible in a dramatic and public display of authority and judgement.
Why was He upset?
Gracious God,
May the house of the Lord be a place of integrity, spiritually focused, and never driven by commercial concerns.
Amen.
