Devotion for March 28, 2012

[Arendt Rebecca]

E-Devotions

Out!  Avenue of Avarice! So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.  To those who sold doves he said, Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!  John 2:15-16 This singularly unusual act of Jesus is recorded in all four gospels.  As a rabbi, Jesus no longer had a child's fascination with all the marketing that occurred on the steps of the temple.  What had started as a needed service had grown into the avenue of avarice!  Pilgrims that traveled great distances needed to exchange money and purchase an acceptable sacrifice, but now these traders have come into the temple courts.  How did this happen?  It does not specifically say, but we all know you don't get the prime spot unless you pay for it.  There is no way these merchants could have been here unless given permission by those in authority. Jesus fashions a whip and begins to set animals and people fleeing.  Imagine if you were there and watching the commotion.  Animals running loose with owners scurrying to catch them.  Now hear the rattle of coins hitting the stone floor, table banging, and men on hands and knees trying to recover their money.  In John's gospel it says they had turned the Father's house into a market, and in the other three gospels the words of Jesus are much stronger—"Den of thieves."  Right outside the house of God a carnival has developed.  The beauty of worship was discolored by greed of merchants.  The house of prayer for all nations has become an opportunity to cheat and steal. Jesus throws them all out!       To order, please send $14.95 (plus 2.95 S&H) Click the "Buy Now" button to purchase using Paypal or send a check to: Russell Eggert Ministries 6 Marsham Drive Marlton, NJ 08053 (Please include shipping address) Copyright 2011 Russell Eggert Ministries

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