PRAY IT! John 2:13-22

"And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables." John 2:15

I read an interesting commentary on this passage (it's free... Matthew Henry's Commentary) that made a really interesting point that stuck out to me.  Jesus never drove anyone in to the temple.  He drove them out.  

Jesus doesn't force anyone to pick him.  To choose him.  To accept him.  To love him.  To be blessed by his grace and mercy.  But oh, how he wishes we all would.  

However, Jesus does clean house.  The temple was meant for a place of worship and sacrifice, yet was being used for trade/business.  

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 clarifies for us:  "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

As we pray today, let us pray and ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and to show us what it is that needs to be swept out of us as we clean house.  Let us pray this both individually, as well as the church, collectively.  With God's help, we can drive out obsessions and distractions as we bravely, humbly, and wisely arm ourselves with God's forgiveness and holiness.

I've heard it said that God accepts us as we are and loves us too much to leave us that way.  As you prepare to sweep, remember that this is not something we do alone... in preparation for a relationship with God.  This is something that we do with the guidance and strength of, and partnership with the Holy Spirit.  

Don't wait to get things in order before coming to God.  Come to him now and let him help clean up the messes.

Pastor Celia