“My house shall be called the house of prayer” Matthew 21:12-17

I. Righteous indignation in action vs 12 This is the second time Jesus had done this and the first time He used a whip to chase everyone away! (see John 2)

Righteous indignation defined by the modern world A reactive emotion of anger over perceived mistreatment, insult, or malice. It is akin to what is called the sense of injustice.

Righteous indignation defined by the Scriptures Although the actual term does not appear, the content most certainly does. It contains much of the same attributes as the modern worlds definition, but it mainly has to do with defending our faith and the things of God.

How did Jesus justify His anger in the temple? By referring to the Scripture in Isa 56:7 “It is written” Jesus had complete confidence in the Scripture!

Isa 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Can a Christian be angry? What about the words of Jesus, Mat_7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Should a Christian ever judge?

Romans 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

Hebrews 9:7 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Is this true? Only God can judge me.

Judging by appearance? Wrong! for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. I Sam 16:7

Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Judging what we don’t know fully understand. Wrong! He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. Prov 18:13

Matthew 26:7,8 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

Jesus replied.. Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

Judging between what is right and wrong? Right! In II Samuel 12:7 Samuel told King David who had Uriah killed so that he could take Bathsheba that what he had done was wrong.

Cold Hard Truth Usually when we claim to have righteous indignation, we are just angry. In Matthew 5:22 Jesus warns us not to be angry “without a cause”.

Pauls great advice in Ephesians is… “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil”.

A few more thoughts on anger from Proverbs. Pro 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Pro 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

Pro 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Pro 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Pro 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Jas 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: Jas 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

With God’s help and grace we can turn our righteous anger into righteous action.

We can confess our unrighteous anger and start fighting the right fight, which is the good fight of faith!

II. The right identity of Gods house vs 13 The house of prayer.

III. The results of the temple being restored were immediate vs 14 The restoration of the temple even for a brief moment brought back the presence and power of Almighty God!

Something to ponder.. What could God do in our house of worship and private homes, if He was allowed to fully restore the order and chase away things that do not belong there?

Nehemiah 2:17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Let’s put it all together and summarise. A. Righteous indignation should always produce righteous works. Perhaps a more accurate statement is that truly righteous indignation will always produce righteous works.

B. Unrighteous anger always produces risks. 1.To our reputation 2.In our relationships 3.To our heavenly rewards

C. If we as His individual temples or the collective body of Christ lose our rightful identity at times or struggle to establish it, the Lord has given us a reliable Word to depend on for clear instruction. He depended on it, we can too!

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

IV. Rejoicing always follows restoration vs 15,16 Gods people have a lot to learn from children. Gods people have a lot to learn about rejoicing in the Lord!