A Cave of Terrorists


Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You deserve the highest praise and glory. You alone are God and You alone have all authority in heaven and on earth. Thank You for drawing me into Your presence and thank You for the Word that so enriches my life. Pour through this time of devotion and meditation that You might be worshiped and I might be edified. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Read: Matthew 21:12-17
http://www.esvbible.org/Matthew 21:12-17

Think about It: Whenever someone expresses anger in ways that go beyond words we all take a step back and wait to see what else is going to happen. Angry words – well, that one thing. But when someone starts breaking stuff we all pay closer attention and become a little more self-protective. Imagine you were in the temple court that day Jesus arrived and started tipping over tables! So far you may have seen this guy feed a bunch of people when there was no food apparently available; you may have seen him heal a chronically sick person; you may have seen him quiet a storm. But until now, you’ve never seen Him get violent. Time to pay closer attention!

There are a couple of Old Testament verses to which Jesus alludes while He is letting His anger show. The first is Zechariah 14:21b. “And there shall no longer be a trader in the house of the Lord of hosts on that day.” This is how that OT book ends! Jesus makes a clear reference to this prophet’s voice. The other important Old Testament quote that Jesus uses is Jeremiah 7:11. “Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord.” He uses two words specifically from the Old Testament – spelaiaon leston – which literally means “cave of terrorists”! Here is what modern theologian D.A. Carson says about this verse. “Jesus is employing a vivid metaphor. By preventing the Gentiles who fear God from worshiping Him in the place especially reserved for that purpose, the temple leadership represents    ethnocentric prejudice and repression analogous to literal, state-sponsored terrorism.” (Commentary on the NT Use of the OT. pg. 68) In this usage of these words, Jesus accuses Israel’s leaders of gross rebellion against Him. Tipping over a few tables is minor compared to what is deserved for this behavior. In essence, the leadership is keeping the people away from God and this behavior cannot be tolerated by our Savior. These “Red Words” have some kick!

Jesus is angry because the people are being kept from the Father. That still grieves Him today. When we step between someone and the Lord, this is grievous to Him. When we keep ourselves from Him, this too is a source of pain for the Savior. Next time you read these words, think to yourself “cave of terrorists” and the passage will have a much more dramatic effect!

Prayer: Dear Lord, the perfection of Your story cannot be overstated. I marvel at how complete Your story is and how it informs every part of my life. Please allow me to live out what I have learned here today and grant opportunity for me to share Your love with others. Let me be a blessing as I have been so richly blessed. Because of Your precious Son I pray. Amen.

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