Countdown to Easter Celebration - Day 7

Matthew 21:12-17, Mark, 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48
After Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem via donkey,  Jesus enters into the temple, where people were gathering for Passover.  It was custom to purchase an animal to sacrifice.  In order to purchase these animals, anyone not "local" would need to exchange their currencies for the local currency.  It was not out of the ordinary to see moneychangers and those selling animals in the outer courts of the temple.  When Jesus becomes angry and begins to toss tables and chairs, He claims "it is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!"

Thieves rob people.  Were the moneychangers and animal sellers robbing people?  Maybe they were charging outrageous rates because they could, because they knew people would need to purchase their sacrifice.  In the name of religion, they may have been robbing people. We do know that the profits made in the temple were governed by the Sadducee.... and we recognize the Sadducee as wealthy thieves. 

Does this have to do with the fig tree that Jesus cursed around the same time He cleansed the temple?  The fig tree looked innocent enough, but when Jesus wanted to eat of its fruit, He saw it had none.  It only had leaves.  The Amplified bible tells us that Fig trees bear fruit and leaves at the same time.  Most other fruit bearing trees bear leaves then fruit.  So we know this fig tree should have fruit since it had leaves.  Because it bears no fruit, but looks like it should, was it a fake? 

We see people who fake Christianity all the time.  They talk the talk, but don't walk the walk.  They sit in church on Sundays, make statements about how faithful they are, how blessed they are....but we know the decisions they make outside of the church walls.  We know we cannot call on them to help in times of need.  We avoid them because they are hard to get along with or maybe their constant negativity drains us. 

If we have leaves, we must bear fruit.  If we pray for blessings, we must be God's arms blessing others.  If we pray for healing, we must be the feet visiting the sick.  If we pray for forgiveness, we must be willing to forgive.  If you pray in Jesus name, does your conduct match that name?

Jesus wasn't angry in the temple, He was passionate.  He was passionate about His Father's house.  Today, the Father's house is inside you.  Are you as passionate about that house as Jesus was?