"The scripture declare, My temple will be called a house of prayer but you have turned it into a den of thieves!" (Matthew 21:13 NLT)
The Temple was the place of God’s presence on earth and the priests had allowed it to become a common marketplace. Profit was the powerful force at play and all of it was a terrible distraction from the intention of the Temple. God’s house was designed to be a place to meet with Him; instead many voices vied for the pilgrim’s attention and their devotion to worldly goods.
My word for 2023 is still tabernacle and today I am considering the voices that vie within my own heart. On my way to worship, the call of the marketplace still competes. This sacred heart space; designed for prayer, is often distracted and disrupted by earthly good.
I must ask the Lord for forgiveness. I need His holy help in chasing out the vendors from my soul. He alone can assist me in refocusing on worship and communion. He can recreate me into a house of prayer.
"And He stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace." (Mark 11:16 NLT)
There’s an asterisk and when I click on it, it says ‘or from carrying merchandise through the Temple.’
I’m convicted. How often do I traipse through the Temple with merchandise on my mind? My preoccupation with material things hurts the heart of God and contaminates a sacred space.
"Jesus made a white form some ropes and chased them out of the Temple." (John 2:15 NLT)
This first Temple cleansing in John 2 reminds us that Jesus is jealous for our whole heart when it comes to worship. And He’s willing to go to great lengths to chase off our distractions.
Additionally; just because He cleared our Temple once doesn’t mean He won’t need to do it again. Ten years ago I fasted shopping for a full year to clear my heart of clutter. I’m realizing this morning that I may need to do it again. Time passes and we forget, the heart fills up anew with meaningless distractions and God is robbed of the singular sort of affection He desires.
"Get these things out of here. Stop turning My Father's house into a marketplace!" (John 2:16 NLT)
Lord, please forgive us. Rearrange our priorities. Fill our heart with exclusive devotion. Clear the Temple of everything less than You. Amen.
"Passion for God's house will consume Me." (John 2:17 NLT)