Monday: What Happened in Holy Week
Confrontation and Condemnation in the Temple
Outline
- Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem from Bethany (Matthew 21:18, Mark 11:12). Jesus cursed the fig tree with no fruit.
- Jesus entered the Temple and cleansed it. (Matthew 21:12–13, Mark 11:15–17, Luke 19:45–46) He upset the booths and tables there and chased out the buyers and sellers. “My Temple should be a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a den or robbers.”
- Jesus healed the blind and the lame in the Temple (Matthew 21:14). The chief priests and scribes witnessed the miracles and heard the children praising Jesus, which displeased them. Jesus responded to their criticism by quoting Psalm 8:2.
- Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and returned to Bethany in the evening. (Matthew 21:17, Mark 11:19).
Meditation
On Monday of Holy Week, we witness Jesus’ powerful actions and teachings in the Temple. When he cursed the fruitless fig tree, Jesus condemned Israel's spiritual barrenness. The cleansing of the Temple demonstrates his authority and his desire for the Temple to be a place of prayer and worship, not a marketplace for financial gain. Despite opposition from religious leaders, Jesus continued to heal and teach, revealing his compassion and wisdom.
As we consider this day, we should examine our own lives. Are we bearing the fruit of righteousness and faith, or are we like the barren fig tree? (In Matthew’s account it immediately withered; in Mark’s version, it is dead by the next day. Either way, it’s over.) Considering his overturn of the Temple vendors, we should ask ourselves, “Is our worship pure and focused on God, or are we allowing worldly distractions and personal agendas to pollute our devotion?” And as we think about the lessons of the children singing and shouting about Jesus, offering sincere praise for our Savior, we should consider how we can continue to praise God even in the face of criticism and opposition.
Additional Thoughts:
- In what ways can we ensure that our worship remains pure and centered on God, both individually and as a church community?
- At the start of this Holy Week, what distracts you from fully reflecting on the events of the Lord’s last week on earth?
Collect
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
David Roseberry writes posts and books on relevant topics applying biblical truth and wisdom. His work can be found at LeaderWorks, where he is Executive Director.
