PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 19:45-48
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“My house will be a house of prayer’…” (Luke 19:46)
God did not live in the temple as a house.
But it did symbolically remind the people God was with them.
Prayer is more than formally talking to God, it is our whole relationship.
It includes any heart interaction between God and us, with or without words.
This is the Lord’s desire for the temple symbolically, and for life in general.
That we might live WITH and interact WITH God everywhere and all the time.
Jesus replaces the temple to show us that God is with us (Matthew 12:6).
Through Jesus, our lives can become spaces for interaction with God.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Jesus’ concern today as well is that we do not make our hearts a den of robbers.
That we not make ourselves ‘at home’ with greed, lust, anger, etc.
Jesus wants to be at home in me, and for me to be at home with him!
He looks at me and lovingly asks, ‘will you be my house of prayer’?
PRAYER
Lord, I am your temple, you live in and with me. Help me make your ‘house’ a place of loving interaction with you, not a space for harboring and feeding sinful, selfish desires.
Jealous, anger, rage – whatever it was – it blinded the leaders. They saw how the people hung onto Jesus’ words – yet they wrote Jesus off. We see that today. Lord, may your voice, your words, your teaching ever be something that I hand onto for life! Help me not to be blinded by others, by materialism or other ‘isms’ – or the ‘good’ life – for life without you is empty. You declared that I am a temple now – I want you to be at home in me – and cleanse me too!
Cleaning house.
God takes our acts of worship very seriously. My focus must be totally upon Him and not for self gain. All for Jesus – with reverence and gratitude hanging upon His word and promises. May my praise always be acceptable in Your sight in Jesus name.
Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me