Easter ReflectionsSample

Upon his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus went straight to the temple. There, he found people trading; they were selling animals and exchanging money. Due to its strategic location, it was expected that Jerusalem would be home to travelling merchants and traders. Also, because the temple was situated there, Jews would come from all over to worship God. Therefore, it made sense to trade the animals for sacrifice in Jerusalem rather than be forced to bring one from miles away. It was convenient; it even made the worship of the Jews efficient, so why would the Son of God be so upset?

Christ's charge against them was that they had turned a house meant for prayer into a den of robbers (Matthew 21:13). They had sought convenience at the expense of devotion. How? You may ask. First, it is likely that the transactions took place in the Court of the Gentiles (Mark 11:17). Secondly, money must have gotten the better of the traders; they robbed, likely by charging exorbitantly for their services. They, therefore, served money, not God (Matthew 6:24), hence blurring the glory of God (2 Chronicles 5:17).

As the one who was fully consumed by zeal for the house of God and upon whom the reproaches of those who reproached God squarely fell (Psalm 99:9; John 2:17), Jesus drove out the traders and overturned the tables of the money exchangers. When asked for a sign that would explain why he did what he did, Jesus prophesied about his death and resurrection (John 2:19-22).

By dying and resurrecting, Christ purchased us for God so that we have now become the temple of God's Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God pursues the purity of his dwelling (believers individually and corporately as the Church) today, no less than he did back then. We, therefore, ought to pursue obedience, contrary to those who "...rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert" (Psalm 78:40). The slightest speck of worldliness in our lives and in the Church should concern us greatly, moving us to deep repentance.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I ask that you forgive me for all the times I have grieved the Holy Spirit by walking in disobedience to your Word. Lord Jesus, I ask that you consume my heart with zeal for the things of God, for you are my strength and my salvation. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.