Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a den of robbers.’ “
Matthew 21:12-13
Let’s continue to think about Holy Week in Jerusalem. After Jesus’ triumphal entry, he went up to his Father’s house, the Temple.
The Temple Mount is still present today, although parts of the platform have been rebuilt. Despite still being revered by the Jews, it is controlled by the Muslims. At the center of it today, rather than the Temple, is the Dome of the Rock. The golden dome is visible from many angles, marking it as a prominent part of the city. The Temple must have left a similar feeling back in Jesus’ day.
Why was Jesus so bent out of shape? The Temple courts were divided into multiple parts. The outermost was the court of the Gentiles. It seems that buying and selling had spilled into that area, which interfered with Gentiles’ ability to pray and seek God. Jesus’ quote of Isaiah refers to the Temple as “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7). God wants all to seek him, both Jews and Gentiles.
Let us seek the Lord and enable others to do the same.
