Station 3: Cleansing of the Temple
Luke 19:45-48
45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.
FOR FURTHER READING
1 Corinthians 3:16, John 2:13-16, Matthew 21:12-17
REMEMBER
Visualize the chaos of the temple; salesmen bargaining, coins clinking, doves cooing, the bleating of sheep. Breathe in the familiar barnyard odors. This chaos was never in God’s plan. When Solomon first built this beautiful temple, not even the sound of a hammer was heard during its construction (I Kings 6:7), yet somehow, the demands of life and greed had overtaken the purpose of prayer in the temple.
The things Jesus wept over were present in the most sacred place, the Temple. He witnessed people who had turned the Lord’s House into a marketplace to sell goods. It had become a place of selfish gains, something for man to indulge in and benefit from rather than turning our focus on God like it was designed for. Jesus could not, in all His perfection, let this go without taking a stance against the debauchery.
The power of His action lies in the conviction of His spirit that revealed the chaos needed to be shut down, and that His words were so filled with truth and love that people couldn’t help but be amazed. The leaders were trying to kill Him, but they were so astounded by His words, actions, and teachings that they could find no motivation to do so. As it says, “people hung on His words.”
RECOGNIZE
On the other side of history, we now can recognize that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live within all believers, so we have access to God daily. We, the people of God, are now the Temple where Jesus dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16). Consider that as you reflect on what you’re filling your mind, body, and soul with throughout your life.
Where have the demands of life overtaken God’s sacred space in your heart?
What tables does Jesus need to overturn in your life?
What screams the loudest for your attention? What’s crowding the Temple of your mind and soul and does it deserve your focus?
RECEIVE
Take some time to thank Jesus for His boldness in calling out the truth that needed to be heard in order for transformation to take place. Ask Him to reveal where you have lost your way so you can come to Him with a cleansed mind and spirit.
Jesus, I confess that I have allowed the busyness and chaos of life to take priority over intimacy with You. I need You to be with me. Silence the hammers pounding and the money clinking. I need You to calm the chaos of my life. Bring me to a place of peace and surrender. Show me how delightful it is to be close to You!