March 08, 2024
And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching. (Mark 11:17-18)
Jesus observed the misuse of His Father’s house by the religious leaders of the day. They were using it to make money, and Jesus said it was to be a “house of prayer for all nations” and drove them out.
They feared Jesus because He was threatening the status quo, which was a nice little ungodly setup for them. Life was comfortable. They had position, power, and possessions, and Jesus threatened to expose them before the people. They realized that life would not be the same for them if He were still around.
A PHARISEES RESPONSE
So they began to try to destroy Him. This is a common tactic of a Pharisee. They try to destroy what threatens their control. I’ve seen this in many churches, sadly, through the years. The Wind of God’s Spirit begins to blow, and it upsets the normality of a church. It calls for surrender to the Lordship of Christ and the authority of God’s Word.
Instead of gladly bending to Christ’s leadership, a Pharisee will criticize, gossip, run a power-play, etc. They will do whatever they think is necessary to keep things as they are. They will seek to destroy what they fear. And, they often fear most the authority of Christ upon their lives.
Jesus went right on. He didn’t worry about their threats. He entrusted His soul to a faithful Creator and did what was right. He knew that God’s will would accomplish its purposes in the end.
Are you faced with a hypocritical Pharisee? Be gracious and kind. Stay the course by humbly doing the Father’s will and letting Him fight your battles. God will vindicate Himself in the end. And remember that often other’s destructive attempts are driven by fear.
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