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Pause For Thought: Choose wisely

The Passover week was at hand in Jerusalem. Unnoticed, Jesus and His disciples joined one of the large companies traveling there.
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The Passover week was at hand in Jerusalem. Unnoticed, Jesus and His disciples joined one of the large companies traveling there.

The people talked with one another about John the Baptist’s announcement of the Messiah, excited to think of possible national greatness and freedom from Rome’s rule. Earnestly, Jesus tried to help the people understand the prophecies of the Messiah as a Savior from sin through sacrifice and urged them to search the Scriptures.

The priests and rulers required foreign money to be exchanged for the sanctuary coin.

Many who journeyed from a distance were unable to bring the required sacrifice for the Passover ceremonies. So animals were brought into the outer court of the temple to be sold.

With the haggling of money exchangers and the noise of the animals the outer court of the temple sounded more like a cattle market than a place of worship.

Jesus stood on the temple steps gazing on the scene.

Picking up a nearby 3-cord scourge, he slowly descended the temple steps, and in a clear ringing voice commanded, “Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise!” Raising the scourge, not to harm anyone, but to show authority,

He turned over the tables of money changers, and temple traffickers rushed to get away from His commanding presence. Soon the temple was cleansed, free from unholy traffic.

In cleansing the temple, Jesus publicly announced His mission to cleanse our hearts from evil that corrupts and destroys us.

He knocks at our heart doors, waiting for us to open ourselves to His cleansing and healing. We have freedom to choose to let Him in or to refuse. His way is the way of joy, peace and love. Ours the way of fear, selfishness and death. Choose wisely.

If you have a question for Bible Mentor Marie Odell you can contact her by emailing: marieodell04@gmail.com

Marie Odell is a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

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