Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Turning Tables 

In Jesus day religion was big business.  Although a number of Pharisees believed in Jesus, their leaders were opposed to Him.  They were hypocrites filled with pride, greed and self interest (Matt.23). The high priest and his cronies were afraid that Jesus would so stir up the crowds that the Romans would intervene and remove the religious leaders from office (John 11:45-50). They were not so much religious leaders as corrupt politicians. The temple in Jerusalem was meant to be a place of prayer and meeting with God but they had turned it into a money making machine. Judea was under Roman occupation and so the currency in use was Roman coin. Yet money offered in the temple had to be Jewish coin so tables were set up for worshippers to exchange their Roman currency for Temple currency. The exchange rate was exorbitant and the religious leaders took a cut. Similarly, doves for sacrifice were available to purchase at inflated prices.

This travesty inflamed Jesus as He famously cleansed the temple of commerce to remind people that it was meant for prayer, worship and communion with God. He also famously warned his disciples to beware the practices of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1).

Prayer: Lord may my life be free from pride, greed and self interest as I worship you in spirit and truth