Matthew 21:11-15
Mat 21:11 (KJB)
And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
The multitude of people had answered the others by stating that He was the
prophet from Nazareth of Galilee. It was because of His tremendous ministry in
the region of Galilee, that Jesus was proclaimed the Son of David. This
proclamation along with Him riding into Jerusalem with the crowds hailing Him
was going to be too much for the Pharisees and Scribes to stand for. They now
had Him within arm's reach.
Mat 21:12 (KJB)
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and
bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the
seats of them that sold doves,
At this time the large crowds had dispersed and Jesus went into the temple of
God. He became indignant at the thievery and merchandising that was being done
in the temple that He made a whip with cords and began to expel the
moneychangers and the sellers of the sacrifices. One of the tricks that the
leaders used was when someone brought their own sacrifice to the temple, they
would inspect it and then reject it. They would then instruct the people that
they would have to purchase one of the sacrifices being sold in the temple. This
angered Jesus and He turned over the tables of the sellers and moneychangers and
if anything would have raised the ire of the Pharisees, it would have been the
loss of income from their schemes.
Mat 21:13 (KJB)
And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer;
but ye have made it a den of thieves.
(Isa 56:7 KJV) Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them
joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall
be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer
for all people. (Jer 7:11 KJV) Is this house, which is called by my name, become
a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.
Jesus then condemns the activities in the temple by using two scripture verses
stating that His house shall be a house of prayer but they had turned it into a
den of thieves. Now before we condemn those schemers of old, what about the
modern church. Look at the charismatic preachers with their multi-million dollar
mansions and bank accounts. Their salaries are in the millions while they
promise the dumb sheep in the pews that if they give more, God will bless them
mightily. How much of a brain do you have to have when you are a member of a
charismatic church for 20 years and you are driving an old Chevy and the pastor
drives a Mercedes. Obviously the prosperity teaching is false. In fact the whole
charismatic movement is false. How come some of the pastors wear glasses? Why do
these churches have cemeteries? Some questions to ask the next time your pastor
wants you to live in poverty while he lives in luxury. Then there are
non-charismatic churches where pastors are paid big money and ministries where
family members are placed on the board to increase income without getting a
raise. What about the smaller churches with their Chinese auctions and some even
have Las Vegas night or comedy clubs. On the last day they will be overturned
but there will be no more time for repentance.
Mat 21:14 (KJB)
And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
Now Jesus turns from His righteous indignation to a person of compassion. Even
though the moneychangers and sellers had raised the anger of Jesus, He did not
allow their sin to rule the day. Since Jesus was hailed as the Son of David on
the way into Jerusalem, the blind and the lame had now come into the temple to
seek Jesus out that they may be healed. Normally the blind and the lame would
not be allowed into the temple but here amid the confusion and turmoil, Jesus
responded to their needs. Here we see Jesus dispensing necessary correction and
compassion in the temple. This is how the church must be. They must be willing
to dispense correction as well as compassion on the others.
Mat 21:15 (KJB)
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and
the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they
were sore displeased,
When the religious leaders saw that Jesus had turned over the tables along with
their income and that the blind and lame had entered the temple which normally
they would not have been permitted to enter and were being healed. (2 Sam
5:8 KJV) And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and
smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's
soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame
shall not come into the house. Then along with the fact that some of
the older children were praising Jesus as the Messiah caused the religious
leaders to become indignant. They thought of Jesus only as a teacher and no
Rabbi would accept any of the terms which apply only to God.