Scripture
They arrived at Jerusalem. Immediately on entering the Temple Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants. He didn’t let anyone even carry a basket through the Temple. And then He taught them, quoting this text:
My house was designated a house of prayer for the nations; you’ve turned it into a hangout for thieves. – Mark 11:15-17
Declaration/Prayer
Lord, as You know, the account of You cleansing the Temple is one of the few events or stories that occurs in all four Gospels. So there must be something You really want us to ponder. The marketplace and its corrupt practices was undermining the focus of the Temple in Jerusalem..that focus being prayer. It seems holy was swapped for unholy. If the unholy can contaminate the holy, then it stands to reason the holy can purify the unholy. So, just like You overturned the tables to cleanse the Temple activities with an emphasis on prayer, surely those of us following You in the marketplace can turn the tables so to speak by embracing prayer at work and seeing You cleanse and redeem our daily activities in ways that honor and glorify You. I hope You’re not calling me to reenact the Temple cleansing at the office and cause cubicle chaos, but I’ll definitely do my part to bring prayer into my workplace and turn the tables on the devil. Amen.
