Thieves and killers

Thieves and killers in God's House

Mark 11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

The money changers exchanged foreign currency to the currency of the temple and they cheated, charging more than what was fair. Each male had to pay a temple tax in the currency of the temple. The sacrificial animals sold at the court of the Gentiles were the only accepted sacrifices. With so much money handling and corruption, this was all the Gentiles could see of the temple, for this was the only place they could come to worship.

I have seen this as well in our country, where those who have felt that they could not openly enter a church would watch a TV preacher, but most of the message was about getting their money. What does Jesus think of this? He casts them out and overturned the tables of the money changers.

Mark 11:16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

They had defiled the temple with their shameful practices. The temple was to be a house of prayers, but he said they had made it a den of thieves, a place where robbers hide out.

Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

They feared Jesus and were jealous of him and his popularity. They plotted to destroy him. This was not the way of godly people of faith, but of the devil who seeks to kill, steal and destroy. Thieves and killers had taken their places in the temple

Mark 11:19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.
Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Mark 11:21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

The fig tree that Jesus spoke against had withered away. We must beware whowe speak against. We have power to curse or to bless.

James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Jesus came to save, not to curse you. He was only upset with those that were appointed to bring God's word to you, who were thieves and killers and destroyers of his holy word.

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