What was it like to be in the crowd around Jesus? As we read about it in the Word, can we experience it? We are used to people being healed after enduring weeks of surgery recovery or months of chemo side effects or repeated days of physical therapy. But what if you were standing by the blind and a man touched their eyes and immediately they saw! (Matthew 21:1-17)
Suddenly light flooded in, color coalesced, shapes firmed up, beauty was revealed and they could begin life whole! No doubt you would experience a taste of their surprise, joy, excitement, and gratefulness. Seems to me it would be thrilling.
This excitement delighted the crowd around Jesus. So when He came into their precious city of Jerusalem, they rolled out the red carpet - their coats. Notice, though, the fame did not taint Jesus one bit. Instead of just continuing to bask in praise, He went straight into their hallowed temple to wreck the establishment. Tables and chairs were toppled and opportunistic businessmen were thrown out.
In our surprise at the violence, maybe we get a clue that our Lord came to do more than promote goodwill and brotherhood. He was fiercely intent on God's will being done. "My house shall be called a house of prayer but you are making it a den of robbers." Jesus was intentional about doing God's will no matter what the cost. And that cost was going to be big.
Thank you Lord for being intent on doing the Father's will. Help us to do the same.
Readings this week:
M- Matthew 21:1-17
T - Matthew 21:18-32
W - Matthew 21:33-22:14
Th - Matthew 22:15-40
F - Matthew 22:41-23:15
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