Matthew 21:1-17
Focus verse 13
(same story in Luke 19:45-48 and Mark 11:17)
Initial
The Temple of God is meant to be a “House of Prayer”
- A place to come to God
- A place of teaching, and therefore a place to learn
- A place of healing (body, mind, soul)
- A place to give praise to God
- Humilty
- Meekness
- Compassion
- a desire to learn
- with reverence, respect (understanding our frailty)
- light
- quiet
- private
Being described as a “Den of Thieves” removes the glory we are meant to give to God, and the temple becomes a place of convenience, an extension of our natural life, removing the opportunity of spiritual growth and the ability to focus on God.
Thinking of a “Den of Thieves”
- To rob, steal, collude
- be a reprobate
- steal from each other
- steal from God (time, praise, effort)
- Darkness
- Rowdy
- Secretive
- with Attitude (own thoughts/thinking)
When we look in the scriptures to see an example of approaching the Lord
Luke 18:9-14 – Pharisee vs Publican
Ecclesiastes 7:4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
An example of HoP vs DoT
Scriptures that Jesus used
House of Prayer
Chapter 55 and 56 further expand on the point that Jesus Christ is trying to illustrate.
- 55:1 Those that trust …
- 55:3 Incline your ear …
- 55:6 Seek the Lord …
- 55:7 Forsake unrighteousness …
- 55:8-9 God is above, His thoughts are higher
- 56:1 Righteousness to be revelaed
- 56:2 Blessing in doing
- 56:7 House of Prayer, for all people
Den of thieves
The whole chapter is a reminder of the blessing of God, and a warning for those that walk in there own ways
- v11 the Lord sees what happens and asks the question of us
- v13 called and answered not
- v15 cast out
- v16 will not hear
Whats next?
So how do we pray? When Jesus gave his sermon on the mount, he gave direction of the way we should approach prayer.
Matthew 6:5-13 (Example of prayer)
Matthew 6:19-24 (Don’t follow the thieves example)
Perfected Praise
Once again Jesus Christ refers to another scripture to give an answer and direction.
King David is showing admiration of God, recognising the small unworthy stature that mankind has. So when Jesus refers to this scripture, he not only declares that the simplicity of a child’s praise, but he also reminds those that life themselves up of the minute stature they really have.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Supporting Scriptures
Matthew 10:34
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Luke 12:40
Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.