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Cleansing of the Temple
Jesus entered the temple in Jerusalem and drove out the money changers and those selling animals for sacrifice, saying, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21:13). This was a powerful act of both judgment and purification, revealing His authority and passion for true worship.
Cursing the Fig Tree
On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus saw a fig tree full of leaves but without fruit. He cursed it, and it withered. This act symbolized judgment on fruitless religion—a prophetic sign to Israel and to all who appear spiritually healthy but bear no real fruit (Matthew 21:18–22, Mark 11:12–14, 20–25).
Teaching and Confrontation
After cleansing the temple, Jesus spent time teaching, healing, and being confronted by religious leaders. These confrontations would intensify throughout the week, setting the stage for His arrest.
Holy Monday is often seen as a day of self-examination—reflecting on our own hearts:
• Are we bearing fruit?
• Are our lives aligned with the sacred?
Read John 2:13-17 >>
Reflect
On this day, we remember Jesus entering the temple and driving out the merchants—confronting the misuse of sacred space. He also cursed the barren fig tree, a living parable of the emptiness of outward religiosity without inner transformation. These acts invite us to consider what in our lives needs to be cleared out so that God's presence can dwell more fully.
• What practices or patterns in my life look good on the outside but may be keeping me from real spiritual growth?
• Is there bitterness or distraction in your life that needs to be surrendered?
• If Jesus were to walk into the “temple” of my heart today, what might He lovingly overturn?
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