Temple – House of Prayer

When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and He stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves." When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching. That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city. Mark 11:15-19.

The day after His Triumphal Entry Jesus and His disciples, who had spent the evening in Bethany, returned to Jerusalem. As scripture tells us, Jesus went into the Temple only to find it as a marketplace—worse yet a thieving ring of merchants. He had been there before. What changed? He expected people to be more reverent—not out to make a denarii for themselves. I think He was disappointed in humanity. He was there at the Temple again to teach them how to live for God…in God’s House. It was supposed to be a House of Prayer for all nations. Not just for the Jews…not just for Israel…but for everyone.

Model of the Temple - Jerusalem

Have you ever been disappointed in someone or something to the extent that you started turning over tables—pitching a fit? It is the kind of behavior you expect of a two or three year old who doesn’t get their way. But here our Lord—who has just humbly entered the city of Jerusalem as a King on a donkey—is venting His anger at the moneychangers. It was a righteous anger—that was justifiable. It was more than just a sad thing that the moneychangers had taken over the courtyard of the Temple

As I thought more about His Triumphal Entry on a donkey I’ve considered how He will ultimately return—on a great white horse.

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for He judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on His head were many crowns. A name was written on Him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and His title was the Word of God. ... On His robe at His thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Revelation 19:11-13, 16.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Word of God. That is Jesus Christ. The Jesus in the Temple…and on a donkey…and on a great white horse.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1.

The Word of God—Jesus. Our prayer in words…to Jesus—The Word. The King of kings and Lord of lords. Prayers and praise be to Our Lord and our King.

Prayer ~ Lord, You will bring us to Your holy mountain of Jerusalem and fill us with joy in Your House of Prayer. You will accept our sacrifices, because Your Temple will be called a House of Prayer for all nations. From Isaiah 56:7. We praise You Lord.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 9-12

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. Photo by Mickey.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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