When Jesus came into Jerusalem, all the city was moved. The question in the minds of many was, “Who is this?” Multitudes of people answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” [2]
Jesus did not disappoint those who revered Him for His prophetic ministry…
“Then He went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’” [3]
Which activities in our religious gathering places does Jesus want to replace with prayer?
In the tradition of the Biblical prophets who went before Him, Jesus called out the religious leaders for creating a hierarchy among the people in which they were the alpha dogs. Isaiah actually called the religious leaders of his day dumb dogs who loved to sleep. [4]
“They [the chief priests and scribes] love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi. But do not be called ‘Rabbi;’ for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” [5]
The goal of Jesus was to open the eyes of people so they could see through the lies that the political and religious leaders were perpetrating. Jesus also healed physical eyesight. “Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.” [6]
“When they [chief priests and Pharisees] sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.” [7]
How many of us have considered speaking for God a dangerous occupation? Well, according to the above verse, those who wanted to kill Jesus refrained from doing so because many people regarded Him as a prophet.
This reminds me of the time that some leaders wanted to kill the prophet Jeremiah while others wanted to protect him…
“Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, ‘This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!’
Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: ‘The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster He has pronounced against you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.’
Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, ‘This man should not be sentenced to death! He has spoken to us in the Name of the Lord our God.’” [8]
Jeremiah and Jesus were both protected from harm due to their prophetic reputations. But the Pharisees devised another plan to take Jesus down. It involved flippy the loyalty of a member of His inner circle, and convincing the public by a smear campaign that Jesus wanted to be a king over them, which was actually how THEY were behaving.
Jesus told the evil leaders straight out, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” [9]
Jesus wanted the situation in Jerusalem to be different. He lamented, as did the prophets who went before Him, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate.” [10]
The last thing Jesus wants for anyone is that they would perish. The last things He wanted for Jerusalem was desolation. He does have a plan for a new Jerusalem, and it will come to pass in due season. He prophesied of it in Revelation 21:1-5.
What is repentance? Please see the attached pictures.
Jesus said, “I have come in My Father's Name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.” [11] Simply put, repentance is a turning away from sin and turning to Jesus Christ for salvation.
[1] Matthew 23:8-9
[2] Matthew 21:10-11
[3] Matthew 21:12-13; Jeremiah 7:11
[4] Isaiah 56:10
[5] Matthew 23:6-11
[6] Matthew 21:14
[7] Matthew 21:46
[8] Jeremiah 26:11-16
[9] Matthew 23:33
[10] Matthew 23:37-38
[11] John 5:43
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