Cleansing What’s Been Cluttered

“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers… ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” – Matthew 21:12-13 (NIV) “Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves… Then He said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ Immediately the tree withered.” – Matthew 21:19 (NIV)

The day after Palm Sunday wasn’t a quiet one. Jesus, having been welcomed like a king the day before, now walks into the temple and turns over tables.

Why? Because what was meant to be a holy place of prayer had become a hub of greed and spiritual pretense.

On the way to the temple, Jesus also encounters a fig tree full of leaves—a sign it should have fruit—but it was barren. He curses it, a vivid picture of spiritual show without substance.

Together, these two moments echo the same message:

God is not impressed with appearances. He is after fruitfulness, holiness, and truth.

The temple had the outward look of religion, but no true worship. The fig tree had the look of life, but no fruit.

Could this be a wake-up call for us too?Are there places in our lives, our worship, or even our ministries that look good on the outside but are barren within? Is there clutter in our hearts—pride, distraction, compromise—that needs to be overturned?

Lord Jesus, thank You for being bold enough to confront what’s broken and call for what’s pure. Search my heart today. Cleanse me of anything that clutters true worship. Let my life be more than just leaves—make me fruitful in prayer, in love, and in obedience. May I be a house of prayer, a life of praise, and a temple where You dwell freely. In Your holy name, Amen.

Challenge:

Take 10 minutes in silence and ask the Holy Spirit:“Lord, is there a table You need to turn over in me today?”Write down what He reveals. Then ask for the grace to let Him cleanse it.