Matthew 21:12-14
Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:
My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.
Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
How many people do you know who cannot park their car in the garage, because it is full of other things? Maybe you are one of them! I know people who live in an RV and use their shower/tub for a closet – and shower at RV park or truck stop bath/shower houses. Please don’t misunderstand me…this is totally none of my business where you park your car, bathe or shower! But we all understand the concept of clutter and how it can overtake our lives – and our space!
The same can be said for “spiritual clutter.” And just like those who set up shop in the temple and moved the focus away from that structure’s intended purpose, we fill our hearts and minds with things that truly don’t belong there and do not glorify God. And at some point, Jesus calls us to clean house…to clear away the clutter of those things that steer our focus away from Him…and to make room in our heart and mind for His healing power.
All of my life, I’ve heard this story of Jesus kicking over tables in the Temple and scattering the money and merchandise of the merchants and thieves who had set up shop there. And I can picture Jesus figuratively slashing at the things in our hearts that distract us and pull us away from a relationship that serves Him and honors our salvation – and the mission He calls us to accomplish in His name.
In a way, this is painful and shocking…but it is also necessary from time to time, because we are all human and imperfect. But we can work on this. We can make a concerted effort to keep our lives steeped in prayer…to ensure that we always have room for the will of God – and that our focus is on creating an atmosphere where Jesus has plenty of room to work.
What is cluttering your heart and mind? Where in your life do you have areas that have become a “hangout for thieves” rather than a “house of prayer?” Is there room for “the blind and the crippled” to get in…and for Jesus to heal them? Are you a catalyst for His message and ministries…or do you need to get busy and clear out some clutter to make room for Him to work?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:
My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.
Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
How many people do you know who cannot park their car in the garage, because it is full of other things? Maybe you are one of them! I know people who live in an RV and use their shower/tub for a closet – and shower at RV park or truck stop bath/shower houses. Please don’t misunderstand me…this is totally none of my business where you park your car, bathe or shower! But we all understand the concept of clutter and how it can overtake our lives – and our space!
The same can be said for “spiritual clutter.” And just like those who set up shop in the temple and moved the focus away from that structure’s intended purpose, we fill our hearts and minds with things that truly don’t belong there and do not glorify God. And at some point, Jesus calls us to clean house…to clear away the clutter of those things that steer our focus away from Him…and to make room in our heart and mind for His healing power.
All of my life, I’ve heard this story of Jesus kicking over tables in the Temple and scattering the money and merchandise of the merchants and thieves who had set up shop there. And I can picture Jesus figuratively slashing at the things in our hearts that distract us and pull us away from a relationship that serves Him and honors our salvation – and the mission He calls us to accomplish in His name.
In a way, this is painful and shocking…but it is also necessary from time to time, because we are all human and imperfect. But we can work on this. We can make a concerted effort to keep our lives steeped in prayer…to ensure that we always have room for the will of God – and that our focus is on creating an atmosphere where Jesus has plenty of room to work.
What is cluttering your heart and mind? Where in your life do you have areas that have become a “hangout for thieves” rather than a “house of prayer?” Is there room for “the blind and the crippled” to get in…and for Jesus to heal them? Are you a catalyst for His message and ministries…or do you need to get busy and clear out some clutter to make room for Him to work?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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