In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 11, we see an account of Jesus cleansing the Temple in Jerusalem. As in everything He did, the Lord was teaching. Always Teaching.
The Word says:
“On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and begin driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as He taught them He said, ‘Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.” (Mark 11: 15-17)
Jesus had arrived in Jerusalem the day before, and had been given the welcome of a conquering hero. “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Mark 11: 1-11.
The Word says , “He went to the temple, and looked around, but since it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve.”
The next morning when activities, and business were in full swing in the temple, the Lord walked in and made a statement with actions not seen in Him before. He took charge physically, and cleaned house.
We see the results of what He did, and why He did it. The Temple of God is a place to pray, show our love for God, and a place to receive His. Making it into something other than that is where we must draw the line as Jesus did. Otherwise, it can become a den of robbers.
The Word says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
1 Corinthians 6: 19-20.
Our bodies are temples of God. This is where we are to love Him. This is where we are to receive His love. This is where the world sees Him. This is where we honor Him. So often we forget this truth, and allow all sorts of contraband to be brought into our body. Things and ways that will rob us of the pleasure of being in our body with the Lord, and for using it to honor Him. Using it to be a house of prayer.
We must ask the Lord to “clean our house” every day as we walk in this fallen world. I am not talking salvation, I am talking keeping a clean house. We must ask Him to take charge as necessary to keep us free of the things that will rob us of good health, good decisions, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. That will rob us of grace, and mercy, and love for God and others. That will keep us from being a house of prayer.
May we honor our Lord with our Bodies. May our bodies always be a house of prayer, and blessing to others. Blessings are ours as we give our bodies to Jesus to make it so.
You are greatly loved, God’s Beloveds. May you walk in perfect health, and prosper in all good things.
Poppa B.