“And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, ‘It is written: “My house will be called a house of prayer,” but you are making it a den of robbers.’” — Matthew 21:12–13, NASB
On the Monday of Holy Week, Jesus walked into the temple, and what He found was not worship, but corruption.
Instead of reverent prayer, there was noisy commerce. Instead of devotion, there was exploitation. Those selling sacrificial animals and exchanging currency had turned the outer courts, meant for all nations to pray (Isaiah 56:7), into a marketplace. What should have been a holy space was now a place of greed.
And Jesus was angry—righteously, zealously angry.
A King Who Confronts
Palm Sunday revealed a King who came lowly, riding on a donkey. But Monday reminds us: this King does not tolerate hollow religion.
Jesus overturned the tables and drove them out. He didn’t sin in His anger (cf. Hebrews 4:15), but He did show us something we must not ignore:
God takes the purity of His worship seriously.
This wasn’t a loss of control. It was a display of holy love—love for His Father’s name and love for His people, who had been robbed of true worship by false shepherds (cf. Jeremiah 7:9-11).
What Would Jesus Confront in Us?
We may not be selling doves in church courtyards, but the principle remains:
Is there anything in our hearts or our churches that Jesus would overturn?
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Do we crowd out prayer with busyness or entertainment?
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Do we use ministry for platform-building instead of God’s glory?
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Do we come into worship casually, while harboring unrepentant sin?
The temple cleansing isn’t just a historical event—it’s a spiritual call.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you…?”
— 1 Corinthians 6:19
Cleanse Us, Lord
This Monday of Holy Week, ask the Lord to search your heart.
Pray as David did:
“Search me, God, and know my heart… and lead me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
Jesus came to bear the wrath of sin and purify a people for Himself (Titus 2:14). He still cleanses temples today—not with whips, but through the convicting work of His Word and Spirit.
Reflection Questions:
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What areas of your life need to be “cleansed” so that your worship is sincere?
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Has anything taken the place of reverent prayer in your daily walk with God?
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What would restoring holy focus in your life this week look like?
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