Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Read Luke 19:45-48.
TEXT: And He entered the temple and began
to drive out those who sold
(Luke 19:45).

The Jerusalem temple was a reminder of God's
presence with His people, and animal sacrifices
were a central component of the worship there.
As the worshipper laid his hands on the animal's
head and confessed his sins, God transferred
his guilt to the animal, which was put to death in
his place. All these sacrifices pointed ahead to
Jesus. He is the Lamb of God who would take
our place and be put to death for the sins of the
whole world.

Since Jewish pilgrims travelled great distances
for the Passover Feast, they were unable to bring
along their own sacrificial animals. Jesus has no
problem with sacrificial animals being available for
sale, or with moneychangers converting foreign
currency into temple currency. His problem is
where those animals were being sold-in the
courtyards of the temple.

In holy wrath Jesus drives all of them out. He
quotes Isaiah, "It is written, 'My House shall be
a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den
of robbers'" (see Isaiah 56:7). It is bad enough to
make themselves robbers by selling the sacrificial
animals at unreasonable prices. But even worse,
they carry on their trade in the very courtyard of
the temple, where worshippers are trying to pray
to God amidst all these distractions.

The Jewish leaders are infuriated that Jesus would
challenge their authority and interfere with their
trade. But they cannot destroy Him because the
great crowds of pilgrims are hanging on His words.
As we'll see in the coming days, His teachings
will grow more pointed, and His popularity will
continue to increase.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Your Son drove out all distractions
from Your temple courts. Clear my mind of all
distractions that I may worship You with all my
heart, mind and soul. I pray in Jesus' Name.
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture

Read Luke 19:39-44.
TEXT: And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said
to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." He
answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very
stones would cry out" (Luke 19:39-40).

Jesus enters Jerusalem with a large crowd joyfully
singing His praises. Some Pharisees come out of
Jerusalem and urge Jesus to silence His supporters.
But Jesus refuses; this King will have His rightful praise.
Even if the people remain silent, the stones themselves
will cry out.

In a few days the Pharisees will have their way. These
praises will fall silent as the crowds begin shouting,
"Crucify, crucify Him!" Reaching the ridge of Jerusalem
Jesus begins sobbing. If only the city realized how easily
it could escape disaster. All its citizens have to do is
turn from their wrongs and trust in Jesus. Woefully, that
great peace is hidden from their eyes.

Jesus' tears flow because His all-knowing eyes see what
will happen here in 40 years. He sees the Roman legions
arriving, encircling the city, and cutting down the trees to
build their siege weapons. He sees violence and disease
breaking out through the doomed city. He sees starvation
and plague ravaging those who remain. He sees the
Romans breaking through the city walls and savagely
attacking the last defenders at the temple walls. He sees
the temple in flames and the defenders being slaughtered,
as they turn from their Roman attackers in a
desperate attempt to extinguish the fires. He sees the
temple reduced to rubble, with not one stone left upon another.
And He weeps bitterly because all this is so needless. If
only they would recognize God graciously visiting them
through His Son.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, Your heart broke at the senseless devastation
Jerusalem would suffer because of its foolish unbelief. Guard
my heart and mind against unbelief, so I may live with You
in heaven, and not suffer eternally in hell. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture:

Read Luke 19:28-38.
TEXT: The whole multitude of His disciples
began to rejoice and praise God with a loud
voice for all the mighty works that they had
seen (see Luke 19:37).


Jesus has travelled to Jerusalem many times
in His life, but this trip will be the last time.
Every other time He walked through its gates,
but not this time. Today He rides into the city
as Jerusalem's King, its Messiah. But the
King of kings does not ride a splendid war
horse; instead, He sends His disciples to
bring Him a humble donkey, a lowly beast of
burden. This animal fits Jesus' entire earthly
life. He came as the meek, humble Baby
born in Bethlehem's manger; He will lay down
His life in humility on the cross.

The crowds are caught up in excitement. They
shout "Blessed is the King who comes in the
Name of the Lord." The term "blessed" points
to the Father, who chose this King and
continues to bless Him. Even though He rides
a humble donkey, Jesus enters Jerusalem as
our King, coming to conquer our great enemies-
Satan, sin, death and hell.

The crowds add "peace in heaven and glory in
the highest." These are the same words the
angels shared with the shepherds at Jesus' birth.
Peace in heaven celebrates God's peace coming
down upon the earth through the Messiah. His
victory brings praise to God from His angels in
heaven and from all of us who have been saved
by His mighty Son.

Jesus accepts this praise sweeping through the
crowds because it is right and true. He is the
King riding into Jerusalem to prepare to fight to
the death to defend His people. In a few days He
will stagger out through the city gates, carrying
His cross to the battlefield.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, our great conquering
King, You rode into Jerusalem to wage war for
Your people. Receive my thanksgiving for the
victory You won through Your suffering, death
and resurrection. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)