Photo by Cristina Gottardi on Unsplash
In Mark 11, we read about Jesus entering Jerusalem to die on the Cross. He knows that His purpose awaits Him, and it is the horrible death on the Cross.
In Mark 11:15-17, we see that the first place He goes is the temple. He knows He is going to die, and He goes to church! There is something that we can learn from Jesus. When we have trouble, how many people run from the church instead of running to the church? Just a thought!
When Jesus goes into the temple, he sees that the purpose of the church has changed, and they are selling defective sacrifices, and Jesus throws over the tables and throws the money changers out.
Jesus says in verse 17 – “He said to them, ‘The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” People turn their spiritual lives into religious rituals, instead of a relationship with God the Father.
Today, the temple is not the building, but we are temples of the Holy Spirit! Are we a house of rules or a house of relationship with Jesus? If we are really the temple of the Holy Spirit, then it is a relationship that welcomes His Presence, His Peace, His Power, and His Provision in our lives!
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you. God will destroy anyone who destroys HIs temple. For God’s temple is holy, AND YOU ARE THAT TEMPLE.”
Lord, help me to be the Temple that You want me to be today!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Center (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and significant emotional life experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is receiving rave reviews. His daily devotional appears in this publication.
