12Jesus entered the temple courts 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.
13"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.’"
14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.
- P52
21Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.
22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
- P53
The selling of animals and currency exchange are helpful for diaspora Jewswho have come from far away to offer temple sacrifices. However, thebusinesses have taken over the temple courts; they have turned God‘s houseinto a place for profit rather than a place of prayer. Similarly, the story ofthe fig tree symbolizes the hypocrisy of the people. The leaves on the figtree should mean that it is producing fruit, but it lacks the very thing itis supposed to produce. In both of these accounts, we see that the mostimportant thing is missing. - P54
In the church today, we may try to hide behindthe appearance of faithful service, but we cannot hide from the gaze of ourGod. He knows the condition of our hearts. Let us not be among thosewho are unduly concerned about the appearance of worship; let us insteadhonor, serve, and worship our God wholeheartedly. - P54
Dear Jesus, help us to have a firm faith that shouts, "Hosanna to the Son ofDavid!" May we continue to put our faith in You sodesire to give us. In Your name, amen.
we can receive what You55 - P55
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