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Welcome to day two of our Holy Week timeline from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday. Day two, Jesus clears the temple on Monday. That morning, Jesus returned with the disciples to Jerusalem, and along the way he cursed a fig tree because it failed to bear fruit. Some believe this represented God's judgment on the spiritually dead religious leaders of Israel. Others say it extends to all of us, showing that genuine faith is more than outward appearances, and true faith bears fruit. When Jesus arrived at the temple, he found it full of corrupt money changers, and he turned over the tables and cleared the temple, shouting, The scriptures declare, my temple will be a house of prayer, but you've turned it into a den of thieves. Monday evening, Jesus stayed in Bethany again, probably in the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. So let's review these events of the day. Jesus drove out people who were buying and selling. He overturned the seats of those selling pigeons. He healed the blind and the lame. He said, Don't make my father's house into a house of trade. Jesus' righteous anger can inspire us to act righteously, but it doesn't give us a right to be angry in an unrighteous way. Jesus' anger was righteous because he was defending the sanctity of God's house. His anger was rooted in a desire to make room for all people to worship, a response to greed and a manifestation of God's anger at those who devalue the temple. It was a call to holiness. But Jesus wasn't cruel. He didn't condemn the people to hell, but he offered forgiveness. The message for us is to align with God's mission outreach and prayer and service. Jesus clearing the temple. It's recorded in all four Gospels. This has been day two of Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday. He is risen. Risen indeed.