Creating Room

'As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, "What's going on here? Who is this?"The parade crowd answered, "This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee." Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:
My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.
Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.
When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, "Hosanna to David's Son!" they were up in arms and took him to task. "Do you hear what these children are saying?"

Jesus said, "Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, 'From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?"

"Jesus was a man on a mission. He went straight to the temple and
dealt with the traders and loan sharks.

There was pandemonium this day! The traders
scrambled around on all fours trying to save what they could of their
ruined goods. Doves flew in all directions, and money flew high along
with loan books. Kids dived for silver coins. They were running and
shouting 'Hosanna to David's son', and the Pharisees and Sadducees
just stood back with folded arms and pursed lips. It was chaos, and
Jesus had caused it all, so He could restore God's 'order'.

"now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in". They came
to Jesus and He healed them.

Sometimes what we take for order is actually far from God's
desired plan. Wheelers and dealers get in on God's plans and use them
for profit. Jesus will only tolerate it for so long before He
strides in and upsets the applecart. He did it not so much out of
dislike for the hawkers as to make room for the needy to find Jesus.

We can also trust Him to do so at the right time. How long had He
waited till he did what He did this day? 3 years! I wonder what
happened after his crucifixion. Did the hawkers return? Or were they
replaced by believers who met in the temple courts, praying and
sharing....I think so.

God brings upset before a time of visitation. He is at work."


Matt 21:10–16. (The Message)