Reflection
The cleansing of the Temple is another challenging Gospel story. Jesus, perhaps with the help of his disciples, drove the sellers out of the Temple. Certainly there is an element of violence in the story. This is no ‘gentle Jesus, meek and mild’. This is a man fired with passion to retain the house of God as a house of prayer, not a bazaar.
When did I last feel the need to stand forcefully for what seemed right to me?
What is the difference between the challenges of Jesus and those of the Pharisees and Scribes who were constantly attacking him?
Are there any challenges that I should be taking up?
Today’s Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling; then dedicating the time of prayer to God and asking God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire. Suggestion: To know Jesus more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly.
Setting: A Scripture reading to imagine you are in the scene.
Scripture
Matthew 21:10-17 WEB
When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”
The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Jesus entered into the temple of God and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves.
He said to them,
“It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”
The lame and the blind came to him in the temple, and he healed them.
But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant, and said to him,
“Do you hear what these are saying?”
Jesus said to them,
“Yes. Did you never read,
‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise’?”
He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there.
Conversation: Talk to Jesus in your own words as a friend
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.
Today’s Music
O God beyond all Praising: music Gustav Holst words Michael Perry
Lyrics
O God beyond all praising,
We worship you today
And sing the love amazing
That songs cannot repay;
For we can only wonder
At every gift you send,
At blessings without number
And mercies without end:
We lift our hearts before you
And wait upon your word,
We honour and adore you,
Our great and mighty Lord.
Then hear, O gracious Saviour,
Accept the love we bring,
That we who know your favour
May serve you as our king;
And whether our tomorrows
Be filled with good or ill,
We’ll triumph through our sorrows
And rise to bless you still:
To marvel at your beauty
And glory in your ways,
And make a joyful duty
Our sacrifice of praise.