Proper use or abuse

Read > Luke 19:45-48

He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves” (v. 46).

Imagine you own a beautiful holiday home that you willingly open to your friends as a place of rest and refreshment. Soon, a friend decides to take you up on your offer. During his stay, however, to your horror you find out that he’s turned your home into a party spot – with countless people drinking and dancing the nights away! I’m sure you would be grieved by what had been done to your holiday home.

Now picture Jesus’ reaction when He stepped into the temple court and found that it was being used as a commercial trading centre. Jesus alluded to the words of the prophets Isaiah (56:7) and Jeremiah (7:11) as He drove away those who had turned the temple of God from a house of prayer into a place of disrepute. This wasn’t the first time Jesus had shown righteous anger. Early in His ministry, He rebuked the religious leaders and those who degraded and desecrated the temple by plying their trade in the temple court area (John 2:13-22).

The court area was the portion of the temple where Gentiles were allowed access. It offered a perfect opportunity for the Jews to make God known to the Gentiles. Sadly, many Jews used this place designed for proclaiming God to seek their own financial gain. So Jesus called them out and pointed out their sinfulness. We – God’s people, His church – should consider whether or not we are using our “temples” (our bodies) to proclaim Jesus’ truth to others. Will they find Christ in us, or will they find us too preoccupied with our own self-interests?

Let’s lift up God’s name and His purposes with our words and actions. For we are now His temple as God’s Spirit dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). – Chris Tan

More >

·         Isaiah 56:1-8

·         Jeremiah 7:1-11

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How are you using your “temple” to glorify God and reach others? What do Jesus’ words and actions in this account teach us about His desire for righteousness?