Harboring Thieves
THE TEMPLE HAS BEEN VIOLATED
“MY HOUSE IS A HOUSE OF PRAYER, BUT YOU HAVE MADE IT A ‘DEN OF THIEVES.”” Jesus then violently and kicked out those who were buying and selling. Luke 19 A radical outburst of righteous anger on behalf of His Father.
DID JESUS GET CARRIED AWAY? Tipping over tables. Getting out the whip.
Or does the God of Heaven, who does not change, still maintain His radical view toward clearing out the temple?
OLD TESTAMENT: Solomon built God a beautiful and rich temple, a physical place constructed to “house” the Omnipotent One. (as if boarding up God were possible or rational)
TODAY: Where does God now make His home? In our hearts. (Eph 3:17)
IF we are His temple, then . . .
Is His approach to spiritually cleansing the temple, my heart, any less fanatic than it was on that day recorded by Luke? Violent? Really?
If my heart is entertaining thieves, wouldn’t I want to know that?
OPPOSITION: God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Opposed: to act against or provide resistance to; combat. to set as an opponent or adversary. (Dictionary.com)
SEVERELY RADICAL INSTRUCTION
CHOP IT OFF! If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Your hands and feet, too? Cut ’em off. Yes, these were Jesus’s spiritual answers to earthly questions that made a strong point.
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A THIEF IN THE HEART
What is in this fleshly temple that has the power to steal?
Immorality . . . steals purity
Dishonesty . . . steals truth
Selfishness . . . steals the value of others
We steal the tithe
We steal God’s glory
We steal from the poor
WHO wants that kind of crud to rule her heart?
DECEPTION CEASE! I see more clearly why God says, Let me live inside you and “write My law upon your heart.” Our Deliverer’s got an action plan to purge any thief that steals, kills and destroys.
HOUSE OF PRAYER. My temple? A house of prayer? What a radical honor!
INVITATION: O God, yes violently clean out my temple. Whatever temporary pain this loving “violence” might cause, the righteous outcome will be worth it.
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IS YOUR TEMPLE A HIDEOUT FOR THIEVES?
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