A Den Of Robbers (Matthew 21:13)

 


Monday, 3 November, 2025


Psalm 9

2 Kings 12:9-21

Matthew 21:1-13


Observances: All Souls [transferred from November 2]; Richard Hooker, priest and teacher (d. 1600)


A Den Of Robbers (Matthew 21:13)


Jesus said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”


I happened to come across a certain report recently, showing two categories: nations which are targeted for scams, and the nations from which those scams come. What was curious about it was the fact that it highlighted (in only a very general sense) shifting attitudes towards honesty and deceit across generations and geography. As one who was taught as a child in school the basics of online security, I am demographically less likely to fall for a scam than someone who never had to worry about that sort of thing in their own formative years.


On the flipside, there is now a better ability among the newer generations for sniffing out dishonesty. When today’s children grow up, politicians will have to work a lot harder at trying to get their votes!


In today’s first lesson, we read about an amazing level of honesty and integrity in the economy of the repair of the Temple at Jerusalem. There was no need for any audit; nor were there any complaints of under-payment; and all the money needed for wages was provided through honesty. Meanwhile, Jesus comes to the Temple all those generations later, and finds that the approach to money in the Temple is twisted into a pit of dishonesty and graft.


Our Lord quotes the Scriptures: “My house shall be called a house of prayer”. In opposition to a house of prayer, the Temple is a den of robbers. He contrasts the two, and implies that one is the opposite of the other.


And so, when it comes to our own houses of prayer – our local church, or our home, or wherever else two or more people are gathered in the name of Jesus – how is the unavoidable issue of money treated? And is it built on the foundation of prayer? If we ourselves are temples of God the Holy Spirit, are we a den of robbers? Or are we houses of prayer?


Just and honest God, in whom there is no shadow or deceit: make us prayerful in all that we do, that we may see the things of this world as gifts from you and tools for building your kingdom.

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