Living God’s Word

John 2:13-25 Worshiping God as He Desires
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” o
18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

Living God’s Word: 
Too many churches today do everything they can to make the time of worship convenient for people. And some people attend church because they see it as a place for personal contacts or business advantage. But worshiping God is not always convenient; it demands true devotion and self-sacrifice. Nor is it for our own earthly advancement. Our focus should be on God alone. We are to worship sincerely, reverently, and humbly. That is not to say we cannot be excited, even zealous, about God. But we are always to worship with reverence—recognizing and remembering who God is. Great speaking preachers, top quality musicians, gifted singers are all wonderful and gifts from God!  However, these are not be our focus for attending. Our greatest draw to church is Jesus who deserves our praises. It’s all about Christ who gave His life for you. “Come, let us worship Him.”

Making it REAL:
Does worship service have to fit your schedule, or is it the priority of your day? Why do you attend worship services; are your motives pure?

Words to Live By: 
With holy zeal, Jesus cleanses the temple, which has been turned into a marketplace, and He predicts His resurrection to those questioning His authority. When we disrespect God’s Word and sacred things, He calls us to repentance. Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection reveal God’s heart, which is zealous for those He loves.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, give me a heart that fervently clings to You and Your Word. Cleanse the temple of my heart so that my desire is to offer my praise and worship to You alone. Help rid me of the worldly aspects of church and renew my Spirit to see and hear You as I gather with others to in You house of worship. Amen.