Jesus would have none of it!

Jesus would have none of it!                


Jesus had just received a joyous and glorious reception upon entering Jerusalem. “Hosanna to the Son of David!” the people shouted. “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!” they proclaimed upon His arrival.  (Matthew 11:1-9 NKJV)


But then, just a short time later, He offended some of His fellow Jews. 


Mark’s Gospel records it this way: “Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.


“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.’


“And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.” 


Jesus knew the temple authorities were making unfair profits off what should be legitimate transactions. Also, people were disrespecting the temple by taking shortcuts through the complex to get from one place to another. 

Watercolor painting by artist, Lesley James, in book, 

The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford

In my book, The Lord Has Need of YOU, I explained it thus: “Most people were there to worship God, but others were exchanging foreign coins for less than they were worth. Some shop keepers were charging too much money for items to be used in worship. Jesus saw that these merchants were stealing from people who just wanted to please God. In His eyes, they were like thieves. 


“He was not going to put up with this and pushed over the merchants’ tables. Everyone stared in disbelief as money and merchandise spilled onto the floor, but they knew in their hearts that Jesus was right. The merchants had dishonored God and His Temple with their actions.  


“Then, Jesus said, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!”’*  



Jesus was executing His authority, but many of the religious leaders did not recognize His authority. Hatred for Jesus was fermenting and a plot to kill Him was looming.  



As we continue in Holy Week I encourage you to read in your Bible about the last few days of Jesus’ life. This phase of Jesus’ time on earth begins with His Triumphal Entry, known as Palm Sunday. I posted about that yesterday. If you didn’t read it, I invite you to do so. 




Quite a bit happens in these few days. See for yourself. Begin your reading at these points: Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19:28, and John 12:12. Go ahead and read through to the end of each of the Gospels between now and Easter Sunday. Be blessed with me as we learn Jesus. 


Each day this week, I plan to post highlights from those amazing few days in history. Also, I will use some pictures and quotes from my book titled, The Lord has Need of YOU*. The illustrations are watercolor paintings by artist, Lesley James. 


*The Lord Has Need of YOU, by Connie Wohlford. Copyright Connie Wohlford, 2019, Hoot Books Publishing.

*The Lord Has Need of YOU can be purchased directly from me via email author@conniewohlford.com or through Amazon,  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1687536104/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford