Key Text: Mark 11:15-16
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. (NIV)
Theme:
Jesus comes to the Temple as a King coming home to his rightful place. But the religious leaders do not recognize him. The conflict builds to the point that either the leaders must yield to Jesus or Jesus must be taken out of the way. This passage in Mark is a biting criticism of a religious leadership that has lost both its moral force and its desire to serve God.
Application:
If Jesus came today, would he have to clean house? What is there about our lives and worship which Jesus would find competing with our affections and interferring with our ability to worship him?
Copyright 1989, Tim Woodroof and Glen Gray, Lincoln Church of Christ, 820 N. 56th Street, Lincoln, NE 68504 - Used by permission.