Today’s Reading: Mark 11:15-19, 27-33; Luke 13:1-5, 31-35, 19:45-48; John 10:22-42
AT THE TEMPLE
It was in the temple that Jesus taught the people, healed the sick and gave sight to the blind. Many came to believe in him while standing in the temple listening to all he had to say, yet others rejected him.
AT THE TEMPLE
It was at the temple that Jesus was surrounded by people who were demanding he make it clear right there and right then whether or not he was the Messiah.
Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name.” — John 10:25
AT THE TEMPLE
It was at the temple that people picked up stones to kill Jesus. When he reminded them of all the good works he had done at his Father’s direction, they replied that they were stoning him because he, a mere man, claimed to be God.
“Why do you call it blasphemy when I say, ‘I am the Son of God’? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world. Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work. But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.” – John 10:36-38
AT THE TEMPLE
It was at the temple that Jesus drove out all of the people who were buying and selling animals for sacrifice. They were taking advantage of God’s people and taking the focus of worship away from God. He stood up for the poor and needy; he defended those who had traveled so far. When the religious leaders heard what Jesus had done, they made plans to kill him (Mark 11:15-19).
AT THE TEMPLE
It was at the temple that Pilate killed some who had traveled from Galilee to offer sacrifices to God. The place that had been built to restore life had become a place of death (Luke 13:1-5).
AT THE TEMPLE
It was at the temple that the religious leaders demanded Jesus prove his authority. Because they were not able to answer his question, he did not answer theirs.
“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!” -– Mark 11:29-30
AT THE TEMPLE
It was at the temple that those who were appointed to prepare God’s people for the coming of the Messiah plotted to kill the one they were supposed to be celebrating. Jesus cried out over the devastation that Jerusalem had become and pointed out to them that their temple was no longer a dwelling place for the God they had been called to serve.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” – Luke 13:34-36
AT THE TEMPLE
We are God’s temple, the place He chooses to have His Spirit dwell. It is in that temple that God teaches us and prepares us for the life to which He is calling us. It is in that temple that our faith is strengthened and our healing begins.
At times, God does a clearing of all of the ungodly habits and practices we have let creep into our life. At times, we question His character and challenge His motives. But it is also at this temple that God’s sanctifying power begins to take away our sinful desires and replace it with His righteousness. Have you opened the door of the temple to allow God to clean out and remodel your heart?
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17