Meditation

Hi there,

I hadn't noticed before that Jesus drove out the money changers and the buyers as well as the sellers of doves. Often, as I read the Bible, I find myself taking sides, and of course, I have a habit of being on the 'right' side as I see it.

I suspect that I, too, would have made the temple courts a "den of robbers."

Like the past two days, these verses are incredibly action-packed. The dramatic scene in the temple is quickly followed by the healing of the sick and the lame in the same place, and then the confrontation with the Pharisees as Jesus openly declares who he is.

The Lord. Worthy of praise.

Today's text is Matthew 21:12-17

Today's verses to copy are in black and red. Tomorrow's are in gray for context.

Jesus at the Temple

12 Jesus 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.’”

14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants
you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree

18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

21 Jesus 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. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Encouragement

Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

Psalm 8:2

I hope you are finding Matthew 21 exciting and enjoyable to copy out. It is momentous stuff as Jesus sets on a collision course with the authorities.

Andy

God’s Word In Your Hand

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If you need to catch up or would like to see some other passages, you can view all our past posts here on the website.