Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the money changers' tables and the benches of those selling doves. Matthew 21:12
This week, most Christians will be commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as part of Holy Week. During that time, some Christians will fast and pray, while others will go on a pilgrimage to a variety of Christian holy sites in honor of the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Holy Week is a time of personal reflection and communal celebration. Christians celebrate both the death and the resurrection of Jesus equally as benefactors of His sacrificial love and His gift of salvation.
According to biblical history, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey to the cheers of many who came to celebrate the Passover. They waved Palm branches and gave him a hero’s welcome that angered the religious leaders. This is known as Palm Sunday in the Christian calendar. But the euphoria of Palm Sunday quickly faded, as Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. His authority for doing such provocative actions was questioned and many wanted to arrest him and stoned him to death.
Holy Monday is a reminder that we should not be so enamored with worldly accolades and acclaim as to become tolerant of sinful practices and behaviors. On Palm Sunday, the people shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” However, the day after, many of them were ready to kill Jesus because He was messing with their money-making businesses in the temple courts.
Holy Week is about fanning the flame of the Holy Spirit given to us by Jesus so we can live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him. It is a reminder that we are to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). This can be very difficult to do in this sinful world. It requires that we speak the truth of the gospel to those who have rejected Jesus and His soul-saving message.
May this Holy Monday be a time when you are convicted in your spirit to become intolerant of sinful practices and behaviors. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, so you can run with perseverance the race that is marked for those who believe in Christ Jesus. The goal for Holy Monday is spiritual boldness through holiness.
Spiritual holiness is the right of every disciple of Jesus Christ. The pursuit of holiness emboldens us to stand for righteousness and reject ungodliness. It gives us the audacity to say “thus sayeth the Lord,” as we speak the truth of the gospel to the affluent and influential no matter the price we must pay.
The best way to kick off Holy Week is with a heart for spiritual consecration. This means prioritizing holiness over personal preferences and worldly pleasure. Holy Week is a time to rededicate one’s life to Christ in a spirit of holiness and invite the Holy Spirit to renew our minds to the glory of the Father. Then, we will be able to think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, excellent or praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8).
Questions For Personal Reflection
What does Holy Monday represent to you?
Why was Jesus’ cleansing of the temple so shocking to the Jews after His triumphal entry?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, please help me to be intolerant of any behavior or practice that will lead me into sin. Please shine your light in my heart and reveal to me unconfessed sins and sinful behaviors that I need to surrender to thee. Give me the strength to be steadfast in my pursuit of Holiness so I can please you.