What Happened on Holy Monday and Why is it Important?
By Irene Anderson, Staff Writer
Holy Monday is the Monday of Holy Week, which is the week leading up to Easter on the Christian calendar. It commemorates the events that occurred on the day after Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Check Out Troy Anderson’s Bestselling Books
The Bible does not provide a detailed account of what happened on Holy Monday, but it is believed that Jesus returned to Jerusalem after spending the night in Bethany. In the Gospel of Mark, it is recorded that Jesus cursed a fig tree for not bearing fruit and also cleansed the temple, overturning the tables of the money changers and merchants who were using the temple for commercial purposes.
This cleansing of the temple is an important event that symbolizes Jesus' authority and his criticism of the religious leaders who had corrupted the temple. It also foreshadows the events that will lead to His arrest and crucifixion.
In many Christian traditions, Holy Monday is a day of reflection and penitence, as believers prepare for the solemn events of Holy Week.
Holy Monday is important for several reasons. Firstly, it marks the beginning of the most important week on the Christian calendar, leading up to the celebration of Easter Sunday. This week, known as Holy Week, is a time of intense reflection and preparation for us as believers, as we commemorate the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Secondly, the events that occurred on Holy Monday, particularly the cleansing of the temple, are significant because they demonstrate Jesus' authority and His message of spiritual purity. By driving out the money changers and merchants who had corrupted the temple, Jesus showed His commitment to the true purpose of the temple and His rejection of the commercialization of religion.
Finally, Holy Monday provides an opportunity for us as Christians to reflect on our own lives and consider how we can live more faithfully and authentically. It serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual purity and the need to resist the corrupting influences of the world around us.
Here are some Bible verses about Holy Monday:
Matthew 21:12-13: "Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' he said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.'"
Mark 11:15-18: "On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, 'Is it not written: My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.' The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching."
Luke 19:45-46: "Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 'It is written,' he said to them, 'My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers.'"
These verses describe Jesus' cleansing of the temple, which is the key event that occurred on Holy Monday.
Give a Gift to Prophecy Investigators’ News
A Pray for Holy Monday
Dear Father God,
On this Holy Monday, we come before you with humble and contrite hearts, mindful of our sins and weaknesses. We thank you for the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ, who cleansed the temple and demonstrated his authority as the Son of God.
As we reflect on the events of Holy Monday, we pray for the courage and conviction to follow in Jesus' footsteps, resisting the temptations of the world and standing up for what is right and just.
May we also strive to live lives of spiritual purity, rejecting the corruption and commercialization of religion that Jesus condemned in the temple.
We pray that you would bless us with the grace and wisdom to live lives that honor You, and to be faithful witnesses to the truth and love of your son, Jesus Christ. May we be transformed by His death and resurrection, and may we always remember the sacrifice He made for us.
We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.