A Journey to Easter - Day 41
- Debbra Stephens
- Apr 14
- 2 min read
The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.
(Matthew 21:14 NIV)
The first stop Jesus made that Monday was the temple. He needed to tend to His Father’s business.
Tucked away in Matthew’s gospel is a short statement that can easily be overlooked. But it speaks volumes into the unfailing love and compassion of Jesus for the suffering. Matthew includes the detail of the healings Jesus performed after His thorough temple cleansing (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48).
Granted, similar miracles He performed throughout His ministry. What struck me was that He did them at this particular point. Even after they wanted to kill Him for recently raising Lazarus. Even though the authorities were plotting to kill Him. Even though He had just passed judgment upon the corrupted festival practices and scandalous abuse of His Father’s House. He did it anyway.
The rebuke of Jesus, that the temple was to be a “house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17), really riled the religious leaders. Mark 11:18 says, “The chief priests and scribes heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.” (I feel pretty sure it was the “every nation” part they didn’t like.)
The One who interpreted and applied the law to its perfection. The One who preached the kingdom of God had come… to the outcast, poor, and powerless. The One who relieved the suffering from demon-possession and a variety of ailments. Who championed women and children. It was this Suffering Servant they feared—specifically because the crowds were listening… learning… following Him. The next day they would publicly question His authority (Mark 11:28). He is to be feared—but certainly not silenced!
The leaders of His day were threatened by truth. And the light that exposed them. Truth and light have a way of doing that even today.
But Jesus’ eye is on the sparrow. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4). And He will reign in righteousness despite the plotting of others.
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