45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 47 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. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words. (Luke 19:45-48)
Passion Week presents a great opportunity to reflect on all that Jesus does for us. As a secondary objective, we can also reinforce some of the lessons we have learned about the Disciplines during our 40 days journey.
Yesterday we observed how Jesus related to his countrymen with deep compassion. Today we observe how he related to a subset of his countrymen, the religious establishment. Throughout His entire time on earth Jesus and the religious establishment did not see eye to eye. Passion Week was no different. Interestingly, the religious establishment professed to practice the Disciplines but Jesus saw right through them.
Please read the passage and answer the questions below.
Today’s Questions:
- How would you characterize spiritual acts that would provoke the kind of response displayed by Jesus in the temple?
- Based on the passage, what are some pitfalls we need to guard against as we attempt to practice the Disciplines?