A CLEAN TEMPLE
- Key Verse
And He said to them, "It is written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER'; but you are making it a ROBBERS' DEN." (Matthew 21:13)
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Central Truth
God desires a temple worthy of His habitation—pure, holy, and clean.
Reflections
God required certain sacrifices in order to come before Him in worship. The religious leaders of the Jews added to these requirements and made worship by the pilgrims difficult, expensive, and a chore. Jesus' righteous anger burned watching the merchants and money changers interacting with those who had traveled to worship in the temple. Jesus' compassion for the would-be worshipers and His absolute disgust at what the religious leaders had allowed caused Him to drive out of the temple the merchants and money changers along with their animals and money. Then, Jesus' compassion flowed as He welcomed, loved, and healed the blind and the lame—those "unacceptable" for worship in their present state. He heard the praise of the children who recognized true good, praising the Son of David.
The temple of God today is us, singularly (1 Corinthians 6:19) and collectively (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). The Holy Spirit makes His dwelling place in us, and this temple is to be holy and undefiled. I read this passage and think of how I would have "sided" with Jesus in His indignation toward the religious leaders. Then, I think again and realize how often I allow my sin nature to rule in me in defiance of His call to be holy.
So, how do I really measure up to be the dwelling place of God, the clean temple He requires? I have the Bible and am a participant in the covenant of grace—more information than the Jews had at that time. When I look inward, I see that Jesus must drive out my unholiness. This visual saddens me—me grieving Him. Yet, pride and inattention to the commandments to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind and to love my neighbor as myself make a mess of my personal temple and defile the greater temple of the collective body of believers. My wish is that we all would desire an ongoing temple cleansing so that more people are able to see Jesus in us and desire to know the One True God instead of seeing a "robbers’ den."
Discussion Questions
1. Will you ask Jesus to help you surrender to the cleansing of His dwelling place in you?
2. Will you ask Jesus to reveal WHAT needs to be cleaned out so that His compassion and healing can give you great cause to praise Him?
3. Will you believe Jesus really is ABLE to cleanse and purify you of ALL that is displeasing to God? (see Hebrews 9:11-14; 1 John 1:7-9)
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. The temple was a place to worship God. What were the children in this passage doing?
2. How do you show Jesus praise?
cary pierce
March 18, 2010 07:32 AM
Wow! That was one of the clearest, most convicting Journey entries I've ever read. I've never thought of my temple in that way. Thanks for letting the Spirit move through your words!
Sarah Crotty
March 18, 2010 08:02 AM
I agree with Cary. Appreciated your perspective and challenge.
Jan
March 18, 2010 08:44 AM
Wow!! I had already planned to say that and then I saw what Cary wrote. So I guess that's double wow! I have never thought of that parallel of how I am the temple of God and the He desires the same cleanliness in me that He illustrated with the robber's den, and He wants to lash all that sin (especially willful and stubborn sins) right out of me. Thanks for a great devo to help me see a clearer picture of how He hates everything sinful, not just from legalistic and unjust thinking, but all wrong thinking and heartsickness and resulting behaviors.
Todd Shaddock
March 18, 2010 10:41 AM
Lisa, I too have similar thoughts...I have never thought of the works based approaches to salvation that I sometimes resort to in my walk are as ugly and as sinful as the 'robbers' on the steps of that temple. And they probably look as unattractive to others that I might be witnessing to as well.
Susan Coy
March 18, 2010 10:47 AM
Lisa, great analogy....absolutely loved your statement..."Yet, pride and inattention to the commandments to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind and to love my neighbor as myself make a mess of my personal temple and defile the greater temple of the collective body of believers."
Robert Wilcox
March 18, 2010 10:54 AM
Lisa, Loved your writing today. I have been following The Journey for 3 years now. Hope you and Steve have a wonderful Easter.
Jay Burns
March 18, 2010 09:57 PM
LIsa, great entry today. I am not surprised that you nailed it. I agree with the others that you took a very familiar passage and brought it home in a very real way. I defile my temple with the things I watch on TV and when my tongue fails me...I could go on and on...but thanks for reminding me about my responsibility here. Also know it has been a privilege to work with you and Steve in the Prodigal ministry. Your work ethic and compassion and dependence on prayer has not only been an inspiration but it has also benefitted the precious families that we serve in the Prodigal.