"Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling.  "It is written," he said to them, "My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers."  Every day he was teaching at the temple.  But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.  Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words."

                                                                                                                              Luke 19:45-48

He closes His eyes and leans His head back against the outside wall of the temple.  The heat of the afternoon refreshes his body as it comes over Him in waves, and he stretches and lets the rays of the sun as it shines on His face give him new life and energy.

As he rests, he leans back against the wall, and again he realizes that the tired feeling is still with Him.  He has continued to teach in the temple since He arrived in Jerusalem, and this has refreshed him as many have come to hear his message, hanging on every word.  But there continues to be resistance.  He rubs his hands together, aching and sore, and He realizes He knew there would be.

Things seem to be getting worse every day.  It seems that each time he comes into the temple now, he first has to clear it of those who are using it as a place to buy and sell.  Instead of accepting what He is freely offering that is beyond value, they continue to try and purchase what they will believe will make them rich.

And so again He goes to the One who gives Him strength.  “Father, it is just as the prophets said.  This house which bears your name has become a den of robbers.”  And His heart breaks.  Each day He strives to teach what was written and yet each day there were those who would use what He says not for His Father’s glory, but for their own gain. 

He rubs His eyes as He stands up to go back inside.  There has to be a way to get through to them, to make them see.  And with that thought, he remembers the words of the prophets he is teaching, and why He has come, and He knows He is the way.  But not yet.  There is still work to be done.  The week is not over yet . . .

"Father, Help us to understand, in our hearts, the true meaning of this week.  In Jesus' name, AMEN."