JESUS' DEATH AND RESURRECTION: Clearing the Temple

                               3. MONDAY - JESUS CLEARS THE TEMPLE
                     Read Matthew 21:10-17; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48

"As they came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead of Him, HE BEGAN TO WEEP. "How I wish today you and all my people would understand the WAY OF PEACE. But it's too late, and PEACE is hidden from your eyes." Luke 19:41&42 (NLT)

When Jesus came into Jerusalem for the annual Passover Festival, He WEPT OVER THE CITY. He knew He was coming close to the time when people would reject Him. 

Jesus was passionate about the city of Jerusalem and its people. He had COMPASSION on them, but He was still GRIEVING.

The Passover was the highlight of the Jewish calendar. They were required to have animal sacrifices, usually a dove. It had to be perfect with no blemishes. The people also had to pat a Temple Tax. Knowing this, money changesset up table to excgange foreign currency. 

Jesus sees people who were trying to make money from "spiritual activity".  We can understand why Jesus was angry when he saw what was happening. We need to be careful to avoid activity and "ministry" that is used for personal gain. 

"The next day Jesus returned to the Temple and found the court of Gentiles full of traders and money changers making lare profits as they gave the Jewish coins in exchange for the pagan money. Jesus drove them out and overturned their tables."                                                                                                                Hugh Claycombe 

"Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. He said to them: "The Scriptures declare, "MY TEMPLE WILL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER" but you have turned it into a den of thieves."                                                                                                                        Luke 19:45&46 (NLT)

 

             3. ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES -  OVERLOOKING JERUSALEM

                   Read Matthew 21:-24:51; Mark 11-13:37; Luke 20:1-21:36

"When they came near the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began to JOYFULLY PRAISE GOD in LOUD VOICES for the miracles they had seen. "BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. Peace in Heaven and Glory in the Highest." Luke 19:27&28 (NIV)

Jesus tries to get away from the Priests who were trying to "trap Him". He went up to the Mount of Olives to look over Jerusalem. He taught some Parables to the people and His disciples and warned them against the Pharisees. He predicted he destruction of the Temple, and told the disciples about future events, including his death, resurrection and second coming.

"The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. THEY WILL KILL HIM, and on the third day HE WILL BE RAISED TO LIFE." And the disciples were filled with grief." Matthew 17:22&23 (NIV)

"But about that hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father....Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day YOUR LORD WILL COME.....So you also must be ready, because the SON OF MAN WILL COME at ab hour you do not expect Him" Matthew 24:36,42 & 44 (NIV)

"The Roman road climbed steeply to the crest of the Mount of Olives, affording a spectacular view of the Judean desert to the east and Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley to the West." Hugh Claycombe

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION", 2011, Biblica

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION", 2015, Tyndale House Foundation

"Jesus Clears the Temple - A Gateway Kids Animation", 2024, Gateway Kids/DiscovertheBible

"Mount of Olives - The Mount of the Messiah", 2023, Israel, My Channel

CLAYCOMBE, Hugh, "Palm Sunday to Easter: Walking with Jesus Each Day" - "Rose Book of Bible, Charts, Maps and Time Lines, 10th Anniversary Edition", 2015, Rose Publishing