Daily Devotions
Mark
Acts 1:22 "Beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." Acts 1:22"
Day 247 – Mark 11
“Beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” Acts 1:22
TEACHING AT THE TEMPLE
After the merchants were all driven out, Jesus taught the astonished crowds (who must have cheered what He did).
“Then He taught, saying to them,
‘Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called
a house of prayer for all nations’?
But you have made it a den of thieves.'”
MARK 11:17
It was not enough to merely throw out those who had made the temple “a den of thieves”. It was important that the crowds knew why Jesus did what He did.
Jesus cited Isaiah as He taught the people. The full text reads as follows:-
“Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
Will be accepted on My altar;
For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
ISAIAH 56:7
1. The temple was meant to be a place of joy.
2. Sacrifices (worship) were meant to be offered with joy.
3. Prayers were to be offered at the temple.
THE ABUSE OF THE TEMPLE MERCHANTS
But the practices adopted by the Temple merchants would rob anyone of his joy. Exorbitant prices were charged for all sacrifices. Special money was minted for Temple use. These had no legal tender value. The priests refused to accept the Roman coins because they bore the image of Caesar. All wishing to give cash offerings had to exchange their money for the temple coins. A fee was charged for the conversion. These practices robbed many of the joy and meaning that could be derived from worship.
A DEN OF THIEVES
Jesus then went on to cite from the Book of Jeremiah. The full text reads as follows:-
“‘Has this house, which is called by My name,
become a den of thieves in your eyes?
Behold, I, even I, have seen it,’ says the LORD.”
JEREMIAH 7:11