Cleansing the Temple: Mark 11:15-18
“15) Then they *came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16) and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. 17) And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” 18) The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.” Mark 11:15-18
Jesus had His Fathers House in mind. He again entered the temple and began cleansing it from the moneychangers and the merchants. The temple grounds had been reduced to a secular center for fun, commerce and festivities. Apart from lip service, there was little actual focus on God. The priests and religious leaders had become rich off their captive patrons.
Jesus tried desperately returning the focus to God. He wanted the temple to be a house of prayer for all the nations, But the religious leaders had turned it into a mafia like money machine. The clash was unavoidable.
The chief priests and scribes responded immediately by hatching a plan to destroy Jesus. They plotted murder to protect their power, control and money scam. They were able to bargain with Judas because they shared the same root sin of greed.
As a side note, the body of every born again believer becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit. (See 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20) Jesus sets out to cleanse our bodies as well. He wants us to be holy and consecrated to Him.
Do not be surprised at the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in your life. It is an indication of genuine salvation. He wants us to be holy for He is holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global Sent from my iPhone
“15) Then they *came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16) and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. 17) And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” 18) The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.” Mark 11:15-18
Jesus had His Fathers House in mind. He again entered the temple and began cleansing it from the moneychangers and the merchants. The temple grounds had been reduced to a secular center for fun, commerce and festivities. Apart from lip service, there was little actual focus on God. The priests and religious leaders had become rich off their captive patrons.
Jesus tried desperately returning the focus to God. He wanted the temple to be a house of prayer for all the nations, But the religious leaders had turned it into a mafia like money machine. The clash was unavoidable.
The chief priests and scribes responded immediately by hatching a plan to destroy Jesus. They plotted murder to protect their power, control and money scam. They were able to bargain with Judas because they shared the same root sin of greed.
As a side note, the body of every born again believer becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit. (See 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20) Jesus sets out to cleanse our bodies as well. He wants us to be holy and consecrated to Him.
Do not be surprised at the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in your life. It is an indication of genuine salvation. He wants us to be holy for He is holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global Sent from my iPhone
