Devotional 3.4 | Space for Grace | MONDAY – Cleansing the Temple

[Jim]

March 4th
JESUS’ FINAL WEEK

MONDAY – Cleansing the Temple​

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Then he taught the people and said, "The Scriptures say, 'My house should be called a place of worship for all nations.' But you have made it a place where robbers hide!"

Mark 11:17, Contemporary English Version​

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Action: The Passover was the highlight of the Jewish calendar. People from many countries on arriving were obligated to meet two requirements: an animal sacrifice, namely a lamb or a dove which had to meet stringent Temple standards – for a high price. Also, a temple tax but paid in the local currency plus an exorbitant fee of over 10%. The price of clean worship was to be taken to the cleaners first. The High Priest’s family benefited monetarily.

Jesus entered into this place of noise and corruption. Doves flapped. Tables flew. People scampered. Traders scattered. This was not a temper tantrum, but rather the Lord of the Temple coming to purify it (Mal 3:1-4). This is the second time he took such action (John 2:13- 17). Appropriately Jesus referred to Isaiah (56:7), “a house of prayer for all nations" as he is in the Courtyard of the Gentiles. He also quoted from Jeremiah (7:11), “a den of thieves “. Thieves would hoard their ill-gotten gain in caves and plot future crimes. How he hated religious corruption!


Why couldn’t the Temple police intervene and arrest him? Luke 19:47-48 provides a clue in saying “all the people were hanging upon him, listening.” He got away with it because a host of ordinary people protected him.


Application: Commercialism and financial exploitation in God’s house angers Jesus. Some religions gather funds by tithing each congregation member, others tithe the congregation as a whole whilst avoiding the word tithe. Be alert to any warning signs of financial manipulation (2 Cor 2:17).

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The ‘grace’ of giving by prayer contrasts with the ‘dis-grace’ of the greedy who prey.​

 

[LeeB]

The new covenant does not teach tithing. Hebrews 7:5 makes it clear that only a direct descent of Aaron had the right to collect tithes, also see Hebrews 8:4. Churches that claim the right to tithe use old covenant law to rob new Covenant people.
God loves a cheerful giver not compelled by law but motivated by love.

 

[Diana S]

Then he taught the people and said, "The Scriptures say, 'My house should be called a place of worship for all nations.' But you have made it a place where robbers hide!" That's a good one. The watchtower's governing body aka Octopope is also hiding in their headquarters Bethell Warwicked. It is a billion company hiding behind a so called religious organization.