Daily Wisdom

No More Den of Thieves – Mark 11:15-17

Key Passage

Jesus went to Jerusalem. He went into the temple area. Jesus began to throw out the people that were buying and selling things there. Jesus turned over the tables that belonged to the people that were exchanging different kinds of money. And Jesus turned over the benches of those people that were selling doves. Jesus refused to allow any person to carry things through the temple area. Then Jesus taught the people. He said, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘My house will be called a house for prayer for all people.’ But you are changing God’s house into a ‘hiding place for thieves.'”

— Mark 11:15-17 ERV (Read Full Text)

Key Thought

Jesus invades the Temple to restore it to its purpose. This was to be a place of prayer. This place was to be open to all the nations. This place wasn’t about making a profit off people seeking God. This place wasn’t about merchandising the grace of God. While Jesus’ actions were bold and shocking to those of his day, we have a tendency to let the distance in both time and culture soften the implications. If Jesus invades our hearts, our worship, our religious places and times, what sacred cows will he drive away? Are we open to other nations and cultures? Are we about being a place and people of prayer? How have we sold out our Savior and our worship of him to our over-commercialized culture? How have we let religious charlatans fleece God-seeking people? And if our bodies are God’s temple, then what does this all mean for us?

Prayer

O God, my heavenly Father, help me see my sacred cows and let Jesus drive them out of my life. Humble me gently as you lovingly, but completely, remove the idols and vestiges of false religion that inhabit my heart. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures

It was almost time for the Jewish Passover. So Jesus went to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem Jesus went to the temple. In the temple area Jesus saw men selling cattle, sheep, and doves. Jesus saw other men sitting at tables. These men were exchanging and trading people’s money. Jesus made a whip with some pieces of rope. Then Jesus forced all these men and the sheep and cattle to leave the temple area. Jesus turned over the tables and scattered the money of the men that exchange money. Then Jesus said to the men that were selling pigeons, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a place for buying and selling!” When this happened the followers of Jesus remembered what was written {in the Scriptures }: “My excitement for your house will destroy me.” Some Jews said to Jesus, “Show us a miracle for a sign. Prove that you have the right to do these things.” Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple and I will build it again in three days.” The Jews answered, “People worked 46 years to build this temple! Do you really believe you can build it again in three days?” (But the temple Jesus meant was his own body. After Jesus was raised from death, his followers remembered that Jesus had said this. So his followers believed the Scripture {about him}, and they believed the words Jesus said.)
John 2:13-22

So brothers and sisters, I beg you to do something. God has shown us great mercy. So offer your lives as a living sacrifice to God. Your offering must be only for God and will be pleasing to him. This offering of yourselves is the spiritual way for you to worship (serve) God. Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world. But let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what things are good and pleasing to God and what things are perfect.
Romans 12:1-2

So put all evil things out of your life: sexual sinning, doing evil, letting evil thoughts control you, wanting things that are evil, and selfishly wanting more and more. This wanting really means to live serving a false god.
Colossians 3:5

Devotional provided by Heartlight®
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