March 26: Day 34

3/26/2018

The cleansing of the temple is associated with the Monday before Jesus died for us. The word “cleansing” might make it sound pleasant, but make no mistake: This was an act of judgment. The Lord visited and found the temple system wanting. You can see this even more clearly in the closely-related cursing of the fig tree.

We know that the sin of the temple religion was legalism - piling up rules and making it hard for people to enter heaven. This made the temple unfruitful.

That’s probably not our sin. What verdict would the Lord render on OUR church? Or on YOUR life? Would it be a lukewarm attitude, leading to unfruitfulness? Or even outright rebellion against him? Let’s pray about that, and be ready to repent!

See Matthew 21:12-22 to read about these events.

2 Comments

John Pryor link

3/26/2018 08:34:10 am

Clearly, the Pharisees were so legalistic that they had missed the whole point (and God Himself). This affected every area of their lives, but Jesus' choice to cleanse the the temple was focused on one particular example of this.

They were using the part of the Temple that was designated as The Court of the Gentiles as their marketplace. Instead of creating a welcoming and intriguing environment for the curious and the ceremonially unclean to begin seeking God, they were using the space to make their day-in, day-out sacrificial system more efficient.

May MHCC always create systems and use our facilities in ways that welcome the brand new and the straying back to God. May we intentionally fuel and feed their curiosity, lovingly leading them to the God who loves them. May we also always challenge faithful believers to truly pray--to commune with God and be changed because of that ongoing conversation.

Frank Hill

3/26/2018 09:29:22 am

Ask! ...for fruitfulness
(The cursing of the fig tree)

Do not be afraid to ask God for big things. God wants to do big things in our lives. Jesus came into Jerusalem and declared that He is King. When we ask the King of this earth to help us—He wants to do just that. So ask. (Note: Be careful here; we are not the King, but we ask so that the King is exalted.)

God’s people---They had beautiful leaves but no fruit. The King is expecting fruitfulness. Jesus does not want us to just look good —He wants fruit! He removed Israel and brought in the Church because He wants fruit. He wants them to reach out and let the world know that Jesus is King. Do not just ask God for things that help you look beautiful—ask God to help you be fruitful. If we ask, He will give it to us—no matter how difficult it may be.

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March 26: Day 34

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