Prayer:
O Jesus, you have all authority in heaven and earth.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus teaching in the temple, confronted by the authorities.
Context:
The day before this event, Jesus had cleansed the temple. As he returns to Jerusalem, the temple authorities want to know by what authority he took that action. He avoids a question about his authority by confronting the leaders about John the Baptist’s authority.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
- The temple leaders should have been the most receptive toward Jesus’ ministry.
- In fact, their hardness of hearts and resistance was the greatest.
- The temple needed a cleansing and the leaders resented Jesus’ purifying action.
- So, they attack the messenger, and try to discredit his message.
- However, they had already made one mistake. The people accepted John the Baptist and they rejected him.
- Jesus’ question burns their hearts. They know they were wrong and have no answer.
- If they were mistaken about John, there is no need to reply to their question. They are discredited.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- O Jesus, make my heart receptive to your word.
- Cleanse my temple, Lord. I will not object at all.
- O Jesus, you have all authority. Your every word is eternal life.
- O Lord, forgive my past mistakes and lead me on your path.
- Burn my heart with the fire of your love.
- I am making no mistake. You are Messiah and Lord.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will give Jesus total authority over my life.
+ I will admit my past mistakes so I do not repeat them.