Today’s Reading: John 2:13-17
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”
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When Jesus entered the Temple, he became angry about how it was being used. Merchants and money-changers were selling animals to the pilgrims coming to Jerusalem from all over the Roman Empire. These animals were offered by the pilgrims as sacrifices to God to receive his forgiveness. People were using his holy place of worship to make money. Jesus’ soul was grieved. And his anger increased.
But his anger was especially aroused as Jesus observed that this hypocrisy was happening in the court of Gentiles. This outer court was where Gentile spiritual seekers would gather and ask about how to worship God.
But all the commotion caused by the merchants kept the Gentiles from knowing the Lord. The Temple had been built, as Isaiah said, to be a house of prayer for all the nations (Isaiah 56:7). That’s why God had instructed Kings David and Solomon to build it. It was intended to be a place for Jew and Gentile alike to come and worship the Father.
What does this mean for you today? Remember that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. In you he lives and moves and has his being. And it’s through you and your life that those who don’t know him will have an opportunity to find him. You are presently his house of prayer for all the nations. People look to you to know him.
Therefore, remove anything that keeps Jesus from fully indwelling you. Eliminate specifically everything that may keep those who don’t know him from seeing him in your life. Take away all hatred, lusts, consumerism, materialism, wrath, anger, bitterness, slander, malice, despair, discouragement, disappointment, and hopelessness.
In anger, Jesus swept the Temple clean because of his zeal for God’s house.
Similarly, he has a zeal for you. He is jealous for your affection in return. He doesn’t want anything to keep you two from being close. He doesn’t want to share you with any other affection you may have. Other loves can quickly and easily replace your love for him and become idols. Don’t let it happen. Sweep away these things. Don’t let your life be simply for commerce, trade, and making money.
Jesus wants you to live on purpose. As he came to seek and save that which was lost, he desires you to do the same. When people who don’t know him see your “temple” cluttered with the things of this world, they won’t desire to know him. Get rid of all the stuff! Have an eternal perspective. Live for Jesus’ eternal rewards. Everything else is considered worthless in comparison to the infinite value of knowing him.
Make Jesus the master passion of your life. Seek first his kingdom. Make the doing of his will what you desire most in this world. Make sure you pray regularly for all the nations to come to faith in Jesus.
And he will use you in others’ lives in ways you never dreamed possible.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]