Monday, April 11 (HOLY WEEK DEVOTIONALS: Pictures from the Battlefield)

Monday, April 11

Photo by Ryu Orn on Unsplash

“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”” Matthew 21:12-13

Territory is always at stake in a war. Who controls? And this is where it gets interesting. Many of us can “form” our religious practices to suit our ends. And Jesus comes in and says, “Wait a minute. This territory belongs to Me and My Father. And My Father’s house will be a house of prayer, not what you have made it.” He claims ownership. In fact, He claims ownership over everything in the world. “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and all who dwell in it.” (Psalm 24:1) That “all” includes you and me. We, and our lives, belong to Him. 

Who has say over your life today? Over your faith practices? If it is Jesus, good. If it is you, why? Look carefully at Matthew 21 and notice that it may mean that idols of control in our space will need to be removed by Jesus to make room for His Father's purposes.

What does Jesus need to drive out of your life today? Put it down on paper or say it out loud as a confession. Then ask His forgiveness. Now submit that area of your life to be filled with His purposes.

Prayer Prompts:

Lord, I praise You as Sovereign God over __________.

Lord, forgive me for making __________ an idol in my life. I repent and submit that area to You.