Temple Cleansing

On reaching Jerusalem,

Jesus entered the temple area

and began 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."

[Mk 11:15-17]

Want a good spring cleaning? A real soul cleansing? Let Jesus ride into the heart of religiosity amidst shouts of praise and clear the temple. Tossing aside our junk and clutter.

It is good to remember that our God is a jealous God. Twice Jesus cleared the Temple (at the beginning and at the end of His earthly ministry). In righteous meekness (power under control, handled rightly and with godly purpose) He taught the people to keep God's house of prayer pure and undefiled.

This spring season of Easter, let's invite Him to show us the commercialism and the extraneous that need removal from our hearts.

Lord Jesus; Cleanse this temple of robbers. Drive out the thieves that pillage and plunder Your praise, Your peace, Your purity. Remove the litter of worldliness, the clutter that crowds You out. Turn up the heat and remove the dross -- the impurities added that steal away a holy sacrifice of worship. Reclaim it as a house of prayer, filled with Your presence. Generate such zeal for my Father's house that others may freely have access without burden. May our practices be pure and pleasing to You. Amen.

Do you not know

that your body is a temple

of the Holy Spirit,

who is in you,

whom you have received from God?

[1 Cor 6:19]