Monday
Read Matthew 21:10-17
The tension is palpable. This isn’t the
first time Jerusalem has been a city on
a knife edge, troubled to its very core.
It is not the first time that Jesus is the
main reason for such feelings either.
Like Herod, when he heard the news
of the birth of the king of the Jews from
the seeking Magi (Matthew 2:3); the
religious leaders are once again stirred
up and filled with fear and indignation
at the sight of Jesus as he enters
Jerusalem to the acclaim of the
masses.
For too long he has been a thorn in
their side. They are determined this
prophet, who they fail to recognise,
from humble Nazareth, will have his
life snuffed out before he can take
their power and prominence from them
(Matthew 26:3-5).
But before they can set the wheels in
motion on their plan, Jesus is on the
move, headed for the temple. He
enters, flipping over tables and tossing
money to the floor without so much as
even a sideways glance or a moment's
pause.
The King who arrived peacefully on a
donkey just the day before is now
acting with a holy authority as he
drives the sellers out of the temple
with the message echoing loud and
clear in their ears, "My house will be a
house of prayer, but you are making it
a ‘den of robbers’” (v.13). I’m sure
Palm Sunday's crowds were stunned
by what they were seeing.
But it’s what Jesus does next that is
even more stunning: a truly astounding
and beautiful reflection of his Kingdom.
He welcomes the blind, the lame and
the children to his side, healing and
assuring them of their place with him
(v.14-15).
The proud, the profaners and those
who have made worship all about
themselves are cleared out (v.12).
Swept away to make room for those
who come humbly, just as they are
with all their sin and self laid bare.
And there, as he did in those days so
he does with us today. Our Saviour
looks upon us and hears our cries, and
he does not ignore them, instead
meeting us with abundant grace.
Through his life and sacrifice Jesus
instigates a beautiful exchange. Giving
to us beauty instead of ashes, joy over
mourning, praise over despair (Isaiah
61:3), as well as a new life, identity
and inheritance in him, a hope for the
ages, the assurance of his presence
with us always and so much more.