Matthew 21:12-17

After a long cold winter, spring has finally sprung with all of the pollen that accompanies it. When spring comes change is exemplified in more than just a change of clothing. On the outside the lawn mower is serviced and attention given to the lawn and flowerbeds. On the inside spring-cleaning begins as we systematically unclutter from the past year. The spring-cleaning must occur to make room for the inevitable additions that will be made in a new season. The spring-cleaning must occur to create space for what will come in a new season.

Having set his face to go to Jerusalem, Jesus finally arrives in majestic fashion. He rides into the city atop a colt of a donkey that had never before been ridden. His disciples, along with those who greeted his entry, spread their garments and palm branches on the ground in front of him. Much to the consternation of the Pharisees His entry was greeted by jubilant shouts of praise, though one can make the argument that the crowd did not really understand what it all meant.

The account of Jesus entering Jerusalem is very familiar to us. It is the text that is generally read on Palm Sunday, the Sunday immediately preceding Easter. What intrigued me today, however, was not the account of my Savior and your Savior into Jerusalem, but what occurs immediately afterward. Matthew records that Jesus makes His way to the Synagogue where he encounters something that so disturbs him that he becomes righteously indignant and turning over the tables of the moneychangers he drives them out.

What was it that was so disturbing to Jesus? Why did He become so exercised over what was a normal daily occurrence? Jesus tells us pointing out that the synagogue was built to be a House of Prayer for all people, but that these dishonest men had defiled it and made it a den of thieves. The act of turning over the tables and running the dishonest businessmen out served to cleanse and purify the temple. It was an event that was absolutely necessary if the new season Jesus brought to Jerusalem was to be realized. Note that after the temple is cleansed of that which defiled it “the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple and He healed them.” It might not seem like much, but I see strong implications for today in these verses: the house must first be cleansed, purified; the cleansing process is a radical process; and, miracles, signs and wonders come once cleansing has occurred.

1. The house must first be cleansed, purified (vs. 12). Jesus quotes Old Testament prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah, as He takes ownership of the temple.

2. The cleansing process is a radical process (vs. 12). He overturned the tables and the seats of those selling.

3. Miracles, signs and wonders will come once cleansing has occurred (vs. 14).

4. The cleansing process will put a bigger target on your back for your enemies (vs. 15).

5. Your faithfulness will be vindicated (vs. 16).

If you listen to gospel radio you will no doubt have heard Isaac Carree sing the song: Clean this House. Though the radio stations tend to play it until it begins to nauseate, the chorus resonates in my spirit. “Clean this house from the inside out. Restore me; take away my iniquity. Lord, I need You to clean this house from the inside out. Restore me; take away my iniquity.”

© All Rights Reserved 2014 – Dr. James H. Logan, Jr.