My House

Jesus, in a final act of frustration over the Jewish rabbinical leadership, goes into the temple and creates havoc by throwing out the merchants and overturning the tables of the money changers.  The leadership had lost sight of the true meaning of worship and of what God requires as a right sacrifice, and Jesus meant to teach them a lesson.  This cleansing of the temple is symbolic of what Jesus wants to do in our lives. Jesus wants to enter our lives and get rid of anything that draws us away from a true relationship with God.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you...and that you are not your own.”

Are there habits in your life that are not life-affirming? Things that are not God-centered can pull us away from the light of God’s love. God wants to clear all the road-blocks that stop us from having a close relationship with Him. Do you know what those obstacles are? Search your heart and you’ll know. A guilty conscience is one sure sign that something is wrong. Secrets are another sign. Draw close to God and God will draw close to you, and the Holy Spirit can work changes in you that can turn your heart around and lead you in a truer direction. That is a proper sacrifice. Psalm 51:17 says “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Gracious God, help me to allow the Holy Spirit into my heart to clear away the things that keep me from being in a closer relationship with you. Amen.