Monday of Holy Week: Driving Out Distractions


Today’s Verses:
Matthew 21:12-13
ESV

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”


As we continue our walk this Holy Week, today we reflect upon Jesus entering the temple in Jerusalem where He sees people who have turned it into a marketplace. 

As Holy Week begins, we see Jesus entering Jerusalem not only in humility but also in authority. On Monday, He cleanses the temple—a powerful reminder that Holy Week is a time for cleansing and renewal. Christ drives out distractions and distortions from God’s house so that it may again be a place of prayer, truth, and worship.

This act is not just historical; it’s deeply personal. During Holy Week, Jesus desires to cleanse our hearts, His living temple, from what clutters and corrupts. He drives out sin not to condemn but to restore us to communion with the Father. His zeal is for you—to make your heart once again a house of prayer.

Let's set this week apart from our regular weeks. Let us place our Lord Jesus at the center and allow His Word to enter into our hearts and drive out the thoughts that lead us away from Him.

Prayers

A Prayer for Today:

Lord Jesus, as we begin this Holy Week, cleanse my heart and mind. Drive out all that distracts me from You. Make me a dwelling place for Your Spirit and a person of prayer, focused on Your cross and resurrection. Amen.

Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Luther’s Morning Prayer:

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.


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A Song for Today


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Tuesday of Holy Week: The Path to Eternal Life

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God’s Grace