Prayer Revolution: A 14-Day DevotionalEgzanp

It was business as usual at the temple when Jesus arrived at the scene. Herod’s magnificent temple and operations were functioning like clockwork. It was Passover and all Israel had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the mighty works of God, His rescue of Jacob’s children from the Pharaoh of Egypt. While most people arrived to worship and experience the communion of saints, others came to make a quick denarius exchanging currencies or selling animals for sacrifice. The religious establishment made room for both. However, something unexpected was about to happen. A disruptive presence was set to enter the temple courts and overturn the existing order.

Consider the turmoil surrounding Jesus coming to the temple in Jerusalem. Early in the day on that first Palm Sunday, Jesus descended from the Mount of Olives, and all heaven broke loose.

Disciples and children crowded the gates and surrounded the city with loud hosannas. When commanded to stop their singing, Jesus said, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19:40).

Then as the crowd came over the crest of the mountain, Jerusalem entered into full view, and the procession halted. Overlooking Jerusalem, Jesus wept for the city. Under the bustle of preparations for feast and festivities, there was a terrible emptiness—the rulers and people of the city failed to recognize the coming of their king. Rather than take offense, Jesus was overcome with sorrow. He wept for Jerusalem. He foresaw the consequences. With tears He prophesied, “They will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:44).

After this time of lament, the procession passed through the Kidron Valley and up toward the city walls. While the children continued their loud singing, Jesus entered and surveyed the temple. Herod’s glorious structure rivaled Solomon’s temple, in which daily sacrifices were offered, and priests and Levites were consecrated to the liturgy and service. Yet Jesus’ eye pierced through the gathering crowds and discerned a disturbing reality. While Jewish people were embraced and welcomed to pray, foreigners were consigned to a distant court and even made to pass through a commercial blockade in order to pray to God. God intended Israel to be a light for the nations and a place of prayer for all peoples. Jesus saw the exact opposite and He was deeply troubled.

As Jesus looked over Jerusalem, He recognized that this temple blockade revealed something terribly wrong in the heart of the leaders, priests, and people. In ritual and ceremony they imagined themselves to honor God. In fact, they were dishonoring God by ignoring those outside of Israel. God’s honor was at stake, and Jesus’ actions reflected His passionate jealousy for His Father. 

This kind of jealousy is good. What child could remain unmoved if his or her father were being misrepresented or maligned? Similarly, every true believer has a burning desire to see God honored. This kind of jealousy is at the heart of what it means to love God and follow Christ. If we want to experience revolution, we will embrace His passion for making His house a house of prayer.

This 14-Day devotional is from Prayer Revolution by John Smed and Justine Hwang. To download the free Small Group Prayer Guide or purchase the book, visit https://www.moodypublishers.com/books/current-issues/prayer-revolution/.