Introduction

Jesus Cleanses the Temple
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. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read,

“‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies
you have prepared praise’?”

And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there. – Matthew 21:12-17

Monday morning–Mark’s gospel shows Jesus entering the temple on Monday morning. Can you imagine? After all of Jesus’ teaching, to walk in and continue to see the money-changing? Luke says as Jesus sees the city in Luke 19:41-42 that “he wept over it.”

John tells a story early in his gospel of Jesus cleansing the temple. There are conflicting views on if this event happened twice. Some commentators believe it happened in the beginning as a warning and in the final days as a judgement. Let that sink in.

In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money changers sitting there.  And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” – John 2:14-17

Jesus had spent months/years teaching on the importance of not worshipping other gods, using money as a master or a way of dominance, seeking first the kingdom of God, how to even pray, etc. Then to walk into the temple. Even if both gospel accounts occurred at the same time, the wrath and judgment of Jesus must have boiled over at that moment as He knew that He was days away from dying for that very reason.

God has said from the beginning of time He did not want our sacrifices, just our love.

Will the LORD be pleased with1 thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:7-8

Adoration

You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.
In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” – Psalm 40:5-8

Oh Father God, there is none like you! You are Holy and your sacrifice for us is wondrous! I bow in awe of your courage and strength, patience and willingness to die for us! Oh God, may your praise always be on our lips.  Amen.

Confession

“O God, you know us well. We are quick to speak of faith, but slow to live it completely. We shout “hosanna” as Jesus approaches, and yet we hold back parts of ourselves from You … O God, you know us well. We are quick to claim faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, but we are fickle, slow to live fully as faithful disciples. We know where we fail … O God, you know us well. We are quick to want the blessings of faithfulness, but we are slow to accept the cost of authentic Christlike living. Forgive our weakness and fear … Lord, You are God. You bring light to those in darkness, forgiveness to those who truly confess, and pardon to all who seek to follow Jesus. We rejoice that  Your steadfast love endures forever and ever. In the name of Jesus Christ, we receive the love that never dies and never fails. Amen.” – Missio Dei Confessional.

Thanksgiving

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. – Psalm 51:15-17

Father God, We know you do not want our sacrifices. We know we can not give to you anything to justify the death of Jesus on the cross. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for the cross. Thank you for our salvation. When we sing, “Hosanna,” thank you for hearing us! Thank you for not blotting us out! thank you for your glorious plan that brought us to you! We love you God! In your Holy name we pray, Amen.

Supplication

Local Church
Pray that your local church continues to be a light for the community, that the church shares the love of God to the ends of the earth. Pray that the local church becomes a new home for many this Easter Sunday! Pray that those within the church who are sick stay healthy. Pray for our church members who are hurting during this season in life that they are able to find comfort in your arms.

Community

Pray for your community, that the lost are found and the found grow closer to the Lord. Pray that kindness between community members reign supreme and that peacemakers step forth to be a light for Christ in the everyday battles of darkness. Pray for finances throughout the community and those that hurt.

World
Pray for the Ukraine/Russia Conflict. Pray for softening of hearts, persevering of the saints, provisions and safety of civilians, God’s glory to be shown throughout the war. Pray that as tensions continue to grow, that communication would strengthen and compromises would be made. Pray that those displaced can return home soon. Pray for the financial consequences of war on society that God continues to meets the needs of His people. Pray for those who are hurting internationally and nationally. Pray for the missionaries carrying out the message of God. Pray for the violence in Israel to be stopped.