This week we talk about the breeding grounds for idolatry in our world today. In the first century BC the Roman coin entered Israel as a symbol of the incoming empire. The coin became a part of the Israelites every day life as it was used to buy food, pay taxes, and conduct daily life. Most followers of the Torah would have been outraged, or at a minimum turned off by the coin with a graven image of a man worshipped in god-like fashion. Jesus recognized this symbol as the idol it had become to the rulers of Rome and the surrounding areas in the 1st century AD. He didn't flip the tables and clean the temple because a man was selling items to feed his family. He flipped the tables because the house of God the Father had become an altar during the holy passover week in Jerusalem. His righteous indignation poured out in the Temple because the greatest Law was being replaced by secular and unholy priorities. "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'" Join us as we read Matthew's account of this part of the Holy Week. Jesus has entered Jerusalem on a young colt fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. Shortly after this event, recorded in Matthew chapter 21 we see Jesus face off with the idolatry that has crept into the Temple as he cleanses the temple. We dig into his warning to the disciples that in the end of the age "because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm til the end will be saved."This scripture tells us to endure. When there is wickedness all around, and hard hearts shelter the love that has turned cold for our brothers and sisters, we must stand firm. We are called to choose the greatest and second greatest commandment and to stand firm in a faith that bears fruit of love, joy, peace, patience... We hope that you will listen to and gain revelation through this episode with us.

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