Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Thursday, January 16, 2014 Read Matthew 21:12-17 Matthew follows Mark almost word for word as he begins his rendition of the cleansing of the Temple and then he adds a striking new element. Matthew tells us the Jesus healed the blind and the lame who had come to the Temple which led those who observed to herald Jesus as the Son of David. Upset by this acclamation the religious leaders challenge Jesus because such an acclamation was nothing short of calling Jesus the Messiah. The religious leaders want Jesus to stop the people from calling him the Son of David but Jesus refuses and quotes the action as the fulfillment of Psalm 8. Matthew has put his own twist on the story.