True Worship, Authority, and Compassion

This devotion starts with Jesus entering the magnificent Jewish Temple in Jerusalem during Holy Week. Upon entering the temple, Jesus was shocked when he saw people using the most holy place for commercial purposes and self-gain. There were people selling doves and changing money for profit. Jesus immediately became angry with the money changers' activity of exploiting the poor instead of worshipping God. With righteous anger and indignation, Jesus suddenly overturned the money changers’ tables and benches in the temple courts and declared, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a ‘den of robbers’.” (Matthew 21:13, NIV)

There are other notable acts that Jesus did that day. Jesus used his power and healed the blind and the lame. He was deeply touched by the innocent faith and praise of children crying out, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Jesus showed his compassion as the Good Shepherd, to those who came to the temple to worship God with their whole hearts.

The religious leaders were not pleased with Jesus that day. They hated and despised the divine authority Jesus received from the Father. They were angered when Jesus exposed their scheme to acquire wealth from the worshippers who had come to honor God. They were jealous that the people flocked to Jesus because he had one thing the religious leaders never had and that was love. Jesus’ ministry of compassion and healing demonstrated that he was the Messiah.

Prayer

Father, during the observance of Holy Week, purify our hearts to offer true worship in your name. Grant us authority over greed, jealousy, hatred, and ritualistic traditions that do not honor you. And fill our hearts with the love of your Son Jesus our Messiah to do “justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.” Amen.

Derek K. Ross, D.Min., serves as an assistant professor for the Regent University School of Divinity.