The Road Devotional | Lent 2024

When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

Once in Jerusalem, Jesus’ destination becomes the temple. This is the place of religious ceremony and sacrifice for the Jewish people. Upon his arrival, Jesus immediately makes waves. He throws out those who had turned the temple into a “den of robbers.” Popular theories as to what this might mean include those who sold animals for sacrifices at an increased rate and those who exchanged different types of money. Regardless of whether their business practices were unethical or not, Jesus did not see these types of transactions as having a place in the temple, which he refers to as a “house of prayer.”

Q. Consider the ways in which external pressures and distractions can hinder your faith and worship. How can you guard against allowing your heart to become a “den of robbers”?

The chief priests, teachers of the law, and the leaders among the people were all trying to kill Jesus during his time in the temple. Jesus responds by choosing a third way. He doesn’t respond back with violence. He also doesn’t allow them to stop his ministry.

Q. What does this say about a savior who didn’t use violence even while his life was constantly threatened? How should that relate to the way that we see the world?

God, Just as Jesus purged the temple of external distractions, cleanse our hearts of anything that hinders our worship and devotion to You. Make our lives a reflection of Your holiness. Help us to recognize and resist the distractions that can turn our hearts away from You. May our lives be a testament to the truth of Your Word.

Amen.