July 8

Scripture John 2: 13-17

Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem. When he went into the temple, He found people selling oxen, sheep and doves. They were doing the same things that they would do in the market place. Others were sitting at tables exchanging money. Jesus made no excuse for the situation at all. He showed them exactly what he thought of what they did. He made a whip out of cords and drove them out of the temple. He also turned over the tables of the ones dealing with the money. Then he said to them....Take these things hence, make not my father's house a house of merchandise. Or as the NIV puts it....Get these things out of here. How dare you turn My father's house into a market!!!

How surprised the disciples must have been. This was a side of their beloved master that they had never seen before. Then they remembered that it was written...The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Jesus couldn't just stand by and do nothing as the temple of God was used in such a way. This was a place of worship. A place to meet with God, not a place to make a living.

We should feel the same way today about the churches we attend. They too are places where we gather and worship God. That is exactly what they should be. Places of worship, not places of worldly business. If it wasn't right in Jesus day, it is not right today either.

The bible says in Hebrews 10:25...Not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (KJV) When we come together in a church is should not be just out of tradition or because it is just a form. It should be to worship God and help build up and encourage each other.




Respect the house of God
Whatever you may do
It is a place of worship
Where God meets with you.
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