Kids Know How To Worship! - Matthew 21:12-17

Jesus at the Temple

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 

The temple courts referred to were the outer courts, where people exchanged foreign currencies, animals and birds for money to pay the temple tax. Those who were selling and changing the money were charging exorbitant prices capitalizing on the pilgrim coming from a distance and having no other way to obtain the money. The outer courts were the only place where the Gentiles, the blind, lame and kids were allowed.  

"The purpose was the same; to drive out the merchants, who in cooperation with the priests cheated visitors to Jerusalem by forcing them to purchase approved sacrificial animals and currencies at high prices." (Guzik)

"A pair of doves could cost as little as 4p outside the Temple and as much as 75p inside the Temple.” This is almost 20 times more expensive." Guzik

13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

The leaders had forgotten the whole purpose of the temple, which was prayer and worship to God.  Mark gives more details about how the Gentiles inclusion into Judaism. 

"Mark’s record contains the more complete quotation of Jesus’ reference to Isaiah 56:7: Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations?” (Mark 11:17). 

By Jesus' day many Gentiles had converted to Judaism.  God was already preparing them to be recipients of the gospel, since many Jews would soon reject Jesus, especially the religous ones. 

14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 

After getting rid of these scoundrels, Jesus showed another purpose for gathering for worship, healing of the sick. If God was present and dwelt in the temple wouldn't it make sense that it would be an opportune time to pray for supernatural healing. The lame and the blind were considered cursed by God and therefore were also excluded from going into the actual temple.  

 "They could not go closer to the temple and could not go to the altar to sacrifice. After purging the court of the Gentiles of merchants and robbers, Jesus then ministered to the outcasts who congregated there." (Guzik)

Similarly today, people come to church looking to experience God in prayer, praise, reading and teaching the bible, and healing.  Like Jesus we still need to invite and encourage outsiders and those who need healing into our sanctuaries.  The church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners. 

15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

The religious leaders soon realized that things were out of their control.  They had become so preoccupied with their power and control, they were oblivious to the things God does when He is invited. The children were also worshipping in the temple courts and shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David".  They realized the Messiah was among them and they were excited. But, meanwhile the priests and teachers of the law were indignant.  

"The hypocrisy of the religious leaders is evident. Greed and theft in the temple didn’t bother them, but praise to Jesus did." (Guzik)

What a beautiful thing when children and adults worship together.  Kids often have the purest form of faith and the most uninhibited way of expressing their faith in worship.  We can take our cues from them and even "shout" once in a while.  

=16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infant you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

The leaders expect Jesus to reject their praise, but Jesus quotes from Psalm 8:2, 

"You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you."  NLT

“Luther was greatly encouraged when he found that the children met together for prayer. He said, ‘God will hear them. The devil himself cannot defeat us now the children begin to pray.’” (Spurgeon)

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Because thousands of pilgrims flocked to Jerusalem for the Passover feast and there was probably not much room, Jesus went on to Bethany, the home of Mary and Martha. 

Why are we as adults sometimes so inhibited in our praise and worship of God?  Does your church include children in worship, or are they to be "seen but not heard"?  Children can teach us a lot about heartfelt praise!  How else can our churches be a place people encounter God? While it is good to do things in decently and orderly ways as Paul says in Corinthians, this doesn't mean we need to be in control.  In what ways can you worship God more like a child?  What distracts you in worship so you miss being in God's presence?