JESUS SPEAKING
Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And he found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When he had made a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers money and overturned the tables. And he said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make my Father’s house a house of merchandise!” Then the disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house has eaten me up” (John 2: 13 – 17.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
Upon entering the temple, Jesus was filled with righteous indignation; a divine passion that prompted Him to chase away the schemers who were abusing God’s Holy dwelling for their own selfish purposes. The disciples observed Christ’s zealous behavior; properly ascribing his actions to a messianic prophecy which states, “Zeal for Your House has eaten Me up” (Psalm 69: 9.) The textbook definition of zeal is, “a great energy or enthusiasm that accompanies the pursuit of a cause or an objective.” Passion and Zeal concerning the accomplishment of God’s will is therefore an indelible characteristic of genuine faith.
At present, there exists one striking contrast between the airplane and every other form of locomotion. The horse and wagon, the automobile, the bicycle, the locomotive, the speedboat, and the great battleship, can all come to a stand still without danger; and they can all reverse their engines, or their power and go backward. But the engine of an airplane has no reverse. It can’t back up. It dare not stand still either. If it loses its momentum and forward drive, then it will crash. The only safety for an airplane resides within its forward and upward motion. Similarly, the only safe direction for a Christian to take is forward and upward. If we stop, or even slip and begin to go backward, we will find ourselves in grave danger.
In life, the number of things that can elicit our zeal is almost endless. Many today are zealous for a political party, a governmental ideology, a sports team, a career, an individual or relationship, a collection of some kind, gaming, entertainment, travel, an alternative lifestyle, or a social cause, to name just a few. Yet as Christians, the furtherance of the gospel must be our preeminent passion; we must move forward and upward; aiming to accomplish the work of God in this place. Through our words and our deeds many can come to know God and receive salvation.
“Lord Heavenly Father, our lives are filled with distractions; things that can compete with our zeal for Your Son and His coming Kingdom. Help us, that we might remain focused on the things that truly matter; the eternal endeavors which are pleasing to You. May we be Your people, and may we never stop accomplishing Your will upon this Earth. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!
Jesus Speaks 