Christchurch Christian Centre UK

Christchurch Christian Centre UK

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Cleansing - turning - changing

After Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the acclamation of the crowd, He went to the Temple and observed what was going on. Being evening He went to Bethany and stayed there overnight.

According to Mark's account, the next day He returned to the Temple and, "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." Mark 11:15-16.

Radical. The following day He was challenged by the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders who demanded that He disclose His authority for such actions. The answer Jesus gave was completely unassailable. You can read it in Mark 11:29-30.

The Temple was cleansed of ungodly commerce; the tables were turned upside down and the money changers were left scrambling to gather up their coins. Jesus had authority to do what He did but it is possible that Malachi gives us similar authority to sort out worship. What do you think? Look at Malachi 1:10.

It may be we are shocked to see that worship of Almighty God had reached such a low point in the centre of things, right there in the Temple in Jerusalem, that worship was nothing more than a money making pursuit for many.

Maybe we can see some parallels though. Perhaps our worship could do with being cleansed or turned upside down and changed. God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Sometimes we become a little too familiar with the sacred. May God the Holy Spirit be pleased to visit us afresh and keep our worship pleasing to Him.

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