Jesus Cleanses the Temple

April 6, 2014 Background Scripture: Isaiah 56:6 – 8; Jeremiah 7:8 – 15; Mark 11:15 – 19 Lesson Passage: Isaiah 56:6, 7; Jeremiah 7:9 – 11; Mark 11:15 – 19 “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.” God’s desire and intentions are to communicate with people who love Him and have put their trust and confidence in His word. If this communication takes place nowhere else, it is expected to take place in God’s house or the place God chooses to put His name. The invitation to commune or talk with God is extended to all people. God makes this clear throughout the Holy Scriptures. Although God works through individuals or in some cases groups of people, His work is always used as a means to reach all people. When the story of redemption is told, the redeemed are described as representing every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. That is an all encompassing list that represents all of humanity. When God puts His name on a house, surely it is a place where conversation between God and mankind should take place. To use the dwelling for any other purpose can be a violation of God’s intentions—especially if sincere prayer is not being offered there at any time. However, people will sometimes unknowingly (or due to a lack of concern or fear) pollute God’s house through sinful living. Many are opposed to talking openly about the liberty that saints have in Jesus Christ. The saints of God walk in a newness of life that is free from the bondage of the Law of sin and death. This is the security of the believer. Once a person has been saved, they are forever kept by the power of God unto eternal life. This salvation does not leave us free to live as we once did. God has made us aware that our former lifestyle was contrary to His will. In fact, the lifestyle we were delivered from had us at enmity with God. We were God’s enemy before we repented and were regenerated and delivered from our previous way of life. God forbid that we should dare to live like that again. Some who oppose the biblical teaching of eternal security believe that it is equivalent to telling people that they have a license to live in sin without consequences. God’s word is clear concerning the wrongness of this way of thinking. God instructed Jeremiah to warn the people that their old way of life is an abomination to Him. Furthermore, He did not deliver us so we could return to those abominations. God makes it clear that salvation is not a license to sin. God will not tolerate sin forever—even among His people who are called by His name. God offered Shiloh as an example of His reaction to people who once attempted such a thing. He made that place a spiritual wasteland. Shiloh was once called by God’s name but it was polluted by the wicked lifestyle of God’s people who lived in that land. Therefore, God scattered the people and destroyed the place. In today’s lesson, Jesus demonstrated in person what God had decreed through the prophets down through the ages. God has disdain for those who profane His house of prayer. Jesus did not make another declaration concerning this but rather he demonstrated God’s disapproval through his actions and by reminding them of what God had already decreed. The people profaned God’s house and Jesus cleansed the temple. Robert C. Hudson March 26, 2013