Matthew 21:12-13 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

You can get a feel for the anger of Jesus by reading this story. He was mad! His anger was directed at the people who had turned the temple into a market for profit. These people were more concerned about selling their overpriced doves and other sacrificial animals than they were concerned for the house of God.

Jesus continually expresses concern for our motives and heart. The merchants and moneychangers around the temple didn’t have the motive to please God with their business. They intended to make a quick buck by cheating the worshippers into buying unfit animals at high prices.

This is a great illustration to keep in mind today. What would Jesus clean out of your life if you gave Him the chance? Keep checking those inner motives!

Additional Verses for Study: 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Proverbs 4:23, 21:2; Jeremiah 17:10; Matthew 15:18-20; Romans 12:9; Ephesians 6:6; 1 Timothy 1:5; James 4:8.