Monday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 19:45-48
45 Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. 46 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” 47 After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him. 48 But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said.
45 Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. 46 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” 47 After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him. 48 But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said.
Commentary:
19:45–48 Jesus Cleanses the Temple. Luke’s account of this incident is greatly abbreviated (cf. Matt. 21:12–16; Mark 11:15–18). he entered the temple. Jesus comes as Lord of the temple, and he comes to purify it (Mal. 3:1–4). On the Mount of Olives, as well as in the temple precincts, tables were set up to enable pilgrims to change their respective currencies into coins for the annual temple tax (half a shekel; Ex. 30:13–16), as well as to purchase pigeons, lambs, oil, salt, etc., for various sin and thanksgiving sacrifices (Lev. 1:14; 5:7, 11; 12:8; 14:22, 30). The business activity turns the house of prayer into a den of robbers (Jer. 7:11). Gentiles in particular were hindered by the temple commerce in the outer court. The goal of Jesus’ action is to restore the temple (temporarily) to its function, namely, to serve as a house of prayer for all the nations.
began to drive out those who sold. Within the temple was a sort of market where commercial activity enabled pilgrims from throughout the Diaspora (see note on John 7:35) to participate in temple activities, exchange their own currency for temple currency (Matt. 17:24–27; cf. Ex. 30:11–16), and purchase animals and other items for sacrifices. This probably occurred in the Royal Stoa, though it may have been in the Court of the Gentiles. den of robbers.
chief priests. Scribes are often associated with the Pharisees. were (continually) seeking to destroy him. Luke’s first explicit mention of a plot against Jesus’ life.
began to drive out those who sold. Within the temple was a sort of market where commercial activity enabled pilgrims from throughout the Diaspora (see note on John 7:35) to participate in temple activities, exchange their own currency for temple currency (Matt. 17:24–27; cf. Ex. 30:11–16), and purchase animals and other items for sacrifices. This probably occurred in the Royal Stoa, though it may have been in the Court of the Gentiles. den of robbers.
chief priests. Scribes are often associated with the Pharisees. were (continually) seeking to destroy him. Luke’s first explicit mention of a plot against Jesus’ life.
Questions:
- In Luke 19:45, Jesus enters the temple to find it overrun with moneychangers. A place that was meant for worship had become something different. The people had turned it into a place to rip people off and line their own pockets. In other words, they were taking advantage of peoples' desire to worship God. This is one rare instance where we see Jesus angry. But Jesus didn't sin, so this was a righteous anger. Have you ever felt an anger like this in your own life? What are some things we encounter that might lead us to righteous anger?
- Had the money changers known that God incarnate was on His way to the temple, they might have taken some time to straighten up a bit. They may have hurried to put away the evidence of their wrongdoings. But they were busted! Think of YOUR life and heart as a temple. What kind of business is going on inside? What tables have you set up? Would there be any that Jesus would flip? If you knew He was on His way, are there things you would put away and try to hide?
Pray:
- That you would keep track of your tables.
- That you would live in a way that doesn't try to hide things from God.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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