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Luke 19:46, Keeping the Temple Clean!

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 16:28:39 GMT

Today, after much delay, the series on Luke 19:45-48 continues. This series has invited Christians to examine the “temple” of the Holy Spirit and vigorously cast out anything unclean from the “temple.” The next part of this series will deal with something very serious. Typically, one may “clean out the temple” and then relapse into sin and again clutter the “temple” with things displeasing to the Lord. However, Luke 19:47-48 and other passages contain some valuable information on striving to keep the temple clean. What does the passage say and how can it possibly help with this concerning issue?

The record of Christ driving the buyers and sellers from the temple is found in Luke 19:45-46. The narration is continued in Verses 46-47:

And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him. (NKJV, emphasis mine)

First off, it is to be noted that Christ is teaching daily at the temple after its cleansing. Christ is often found teaching in the heart of one who has recently cleaned the “temple” of the Holy Spirit. Christ can really teach to any Christian once any worldly item of lust is gone from the heart. However, the following sentence is very important and states that, “the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him…” This is typical to what happens in the heart of a man after cleaning the “temple” of God. Satan, the adversary, attempts to destroy the joy, teaching, and harmony that Christ brings to the heart. As a result, Satan attempts to destroy and weaken the relationship with Christ. In other words, the adversary attempts to clutter the temple and move the unhealthy things back into the heart. 1 Peter 5:8 says:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (NKJV, emphasis mine)

Satan is one who prowls around looking to devour the cleanliness of a “temple” of the Holy Spirit. The comparison can be made of Satan seeking to devour and the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people in Luke 19. In both cases, the two are attempting to destroy the teaching and cleanliness of Christ. How, then, does one prevent the adversary from once again cluttering the “temples” of the Holy Spirit?

The two above presented texts out of 1 Peter and Luke hold the answer to the question. Luke 19:48 ends by stating that the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people are “unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.” The chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people are unable to “destroy Him” because the people are listening to Christ’s teaching. One can then draw a conclusion. One way to prevent the devil from “destroying” the cleanliness of the “temple” of the Holy Spirit is to be attentive to the Word of the Lord. Hebrews 4:12 gives a clear summary of the power of the Word of the Lord, by stating:

For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (KJV)

This passage demonstrates the power of the Word of the Lord and Luke 19:46 demonstrates that the Word of the Lord has great impact upon those attempting to stop Christ.

In addition, 1 Peter 5:8 provides insight on preventing the adversary from cluttering the “temple” of the Lord. The passage states, “be vigilant.” Christians must be vigilant. Christians must always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks about the hope that is inside all Christians. Watching for the attacks from the adversary and being vigilant will allow one to keep the temple from becoming cluttered and dirty.

It is time for all Christians to begin to be attentive to the Word of God and be vigilant against attacks from Satan. When Christians are attentive and vigilant, the adversary is not able to come in and destroy the cleanliness of the “temple” of the Holy Spirit. Today let all Christians pray for attentiveness, vigilance, and help from the Holy Spirit so that the “temple” may stay clean.

Luke 19:45, Using a Whip of Cords!

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 17:38:46 GMT

In the last part of this series on Luke 19, I addressed how all Christians must examine the "temple of the Holy Spirit" and see if it contains anything that is diverting the body and the mind from Jesus. In the case of Luke 19, the temple is contaminated with those buying and selling in it and Christ comes and drives out these buyers and sellers to clean out the temple and attempt to purify the temple. In the last part of the series, I pointed out that as Christians, it is important to drive out anything that is evil in the temples of the Holy Spirit. While it is important to clean out the temple, the Bible gives some instructions on how to clean out all of the temple. These instructions are invaluable when it comes to cleaning out the temple and making the body clean and wonderful temple for the Lord.

Imagine for a moment, a guest house that one owns. This guest house is rather dusty, cluttered, and dirty as it has not been cleaned in quite some time. Then, the owner of the guest house receives a call from one who is very important who needs a house to stay in for a while. This is not a likely possibility in real life situation, but please play along. After receiving this call, what will the owner do? Most likely, if this owner has any sort of integrity, will begin vigorously cleaning the house to assure that this leader is welcome and is not completely disgusted when the house is entered. The owner will probably grab a mop, broom, and vacuum cleaner and clean out this dirty and cluttered house before this important person arrives.

While, some people may not clean this house out, this is an important illustration and it helps to think of this important person as someone who is deeply respected or admired. Imagine that this important person is President Bush or, if the owner is a football fan, Peyton Manning or Michael Vick. Or, imagine that this person is Jesus Christ. Would this house be clean for these people? Or would it be a garbage heap? And if it is cleaned, then how is it cleaned?

In the last paragraph, I asked: If it is cleaned, then how is it cleaned? This is another important question. If one of these important people is to come, how will this house be cleaned? Will the owner only straighten up with his hands and ignore the dirt, dust, and dead flies all over? Certainly not! The owner will probably take a vacuum and sweep all of that junk up with a vengeance. The comparison can be made of this owner and Jesus in the temple. The owner, sees the "impurity" of the house and takes a vacuum to it. Meanwhile, Christ sees this "impurity" and John 2:15 informs all about what Christ does:

So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. (NIV, emphasis mine)

And Luke 19:45 says:

Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. (NIV, emphasis mine)

A few things can be observed from these verses. First off, Christ does not enter the temple and simply say something like, "shoo." Instead, He "made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area." While the whip may be symbolic, it shows how important this task is and how diligent Christ is in this task. Christ is not going to look at the sin and clutter in the temple with a light hand, He sees it as sin and drives it out as if it pains Him to see it. This temple is to be a house for a very important Person, the Lord God, yet it is cluttered, and Jesus, like the owner, drives everyone out with a whip of cords. The fact that Christ uses a whip of cords shows how the temples of the body should be cleaned out so that it is a clean, holy, and pure place for the Lord.

Additionally, the word "drove" in John 2:15 is the Greek word "ekballo" and means to "to eject" much like a referee may eject a player from a sports competition. Blue Letter Bible also translates the word to mean "cast out, drive out, to send out...with notion of violence." The word also has a root that is "ballo" which basically means "to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls." (Blue Letter Bible) None of these translations make the word "drove" look very nice and all of this evidence shows how all Christians should treat sin in the temple of the Holy Spirit.

It is very important that all Christians look at sin and as sin. Christians must look at sin as something that must be thrown out and driven out. Any impurity must be thrown out "without caring where it falls." This series has been concentrating on examining the heart for impurity, learning to cast out all of the impurity, and, right now, learning how to cast out this impurity. When a time for cleaning comes, Christians must not simply say, "shoo" to sin. Instead, all Christians must take a whip of cords and clean out the temple of the Lord with a vengeance.

In any cleaning of the temple of the Holy Spirit, let the prayer of all Christians be the one of David when he says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, KJV))

Quote of the Day

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 11:00:07 GMT

"Comfort is sinking sand..."

(Michael W. Smith in the movie "The Second Chance" when referencing comfort zones.)

A Christmas Attitude

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 17:08:25 GMT

Introduction

The story of Christmas, as recorded in the Gospels, is a story and a narrative of great popularity. The story of Christ being born in a manger is one of amazement and wonder and shows the greatness of God. But, the story of Christmas is more than a story and it is more than a narrative. Like the rest of the Bible it contains lessons useful for teaching and training in righteousness. And the stories of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus are not the only Christmas stories from which teaching can be drawn. The examples of many characters who witness the birth of Christ demonstrate how the attitudes of all people should toward Jesus Christ.

A Contrast: The Shepherds and the Inn

Luke 2 contains the story of the shepherds who are watching their sheep at the time of Christ’s birth. Luke 2:8-12 says:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (NIV)

This passage details how the shepherds come to know about Christ being born. Following these verses the heavens come alive with the heavenly host singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14, NIV)

Following this, Luke 2:16-20 reads:

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (NIV)

The shepherds, though tending sheep, find an immense amount of time to visit the baby and then “they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” The shepherds believe this Baby to be the Savior and time is taken to spread the Word about this Child. The attitude of the shepherds is one all should desire to possess. The shepherd’s attitudes toward the Messiah allow them to make “room” in their schedule to spread the word about the Messiah. It is important to contrast the attitude of the shepherds to what happens when Mary and Joseph attempt to get a room at the inn:

…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NKJV)

The story of the inn is quite popular and at the time of Christ’s birth no room is available due to the immense amount of business created by the census. This brings up an interesting question: Is life too busy for Christ? The shepherds, despite possessing the job of shepherding the sheep, find the time to spread the Word about Christ. Meanwhile, because the business of the time, the inn has no room. Is life like the inn or is life like the shepherds? Is a “census” happening in life and making life to busy for this Child? These are important questions to think about. If the answer is “the inn” and “yes” then all Christians, myself included, should turn to the Word for a way to go from a busy inn to a joyous shepherd.

A Contrast: The Magi and the King

The final contrast has to do with the difference in the Magi and King Herod. Matthew 2:1-2 says of the wise men:

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (KJV, taken from Blue Letter Bible)

And the remainder of Matthew 2 details how King Herod is disturbed at the news of a “King of the Jews” and seeks to kill Jesus. King Herod is worried that this “King of the Jews” will wish to destroy and overthrow Herod and the Roman government. Herod is afraid of the changes that may come through this “King.” Meanwhile, the Magi, who are defined in the Greek “sorcerers” and simply “wise men” journey to find this Christ. Though they are “wise,” they are not worried about the change that comes from this King. They only wish to worship Him.

This presents the next set of questions. Christ is always looking to change Christians and to mold and shape them into what they are to be. Christ, like He does as a baby, looks to bring spiritual change. The question then is: Are we afraid the change that Christ brings? Or are we like Herod, fearing that our “kingdom” and “treasures” will be destroyed if we let Christ rule in life? Or are we like the Magi and willing to journey to search out this change?

A Christmas Attitude: Conclusion

The attitudes of those alive and present at Christ’s birth present some interesting questions that should be answered by everyone. Is life too busy? Is a fear of Christ’s change present and preventing one from truly “knowing” Christ? When these questions are answered and the Lord is allowed to work, the Christmas story truly comes alive. When these questions are answered, the Christmas story becomes more than a story, it becomes real.

A Christmas Attitude

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 17:08:24 GMT

Luke 19:45, Cleaning out the Temple!

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:57:11 GMT

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In the first part of this series, I challenged all Christians to look at the "temples of the body" and see the inside of the heart. The comparison of the temple in Luke 19:35 is made to the fact that the body is the temple of God. In Luke 19:45, the temple is full of buying and selling, not things of the Lord and it is pointed out that the temple needs to be a temple for God. Today, a similar look will be taken, however, the angle on this passage will be a little different. Today, I encourage those reading to open up their heart and allow the Lord to teach.

To refresh the memory, Luke 19:45:

Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it...(NKJV)

As I pointed out above and in the first part of the series, the temple is being used incorrectly. Instead of being used to glorify God, the temple is being used to make a profit and to buy and sell. Inside the temple, a house created for God, things are happening that are displeasing to the Lord. The question is then posed about the temple of the body and the heart: What is in the heart? The body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, thus it should be used like one. In Part one, the point is made that all Christians are to examine the "temple of the body" and see if it is being used for God or for evil. However, this passage begs that a deeper look be taken from another angle.

First off, it is important to notice that Jesus drives out all of the ones who are buying and selling in the temple. Yes, I realize that Luke 19:45 does not say this, but John 2:15 says:

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. (NKJV, emphasis mine)

Christ makes this "whip of cords," something that will be discussed later in this series, and drives out all of those who are buying and selling in the temple. Not only does He drive out the buyers and sellers, but He drives out the "sheep and the oxen" and pours the out the "changers' money" and "overturned the tables." Christ attempts to rid the temple of all hindrances and problems that the temple has with this buying and selling. Christ does not let a few of the buyers remain because they look cool. He drives them all out.

Once the temple of the body has been examined, the next step is to drive out all the evil that is found inside. Christ does not command that some of the evil be left out if it is liked. Instead, He commands, and also does in the temple, that all of the evil be driven out. In fact, if the evil is "liked" then more examination of the heart may be required. Matthew 6:21 says:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (NKJV)

If the "treasure" or, in this case, the "merchandise" is worldly and the Christian insists on keeping it instead of driving it out, then this only demonstrates that the heart is turned towards this merchandise instead of towards the Lord. The heart of Christ is obviously not one of earthly treasure, instead He wishes to clean the temple and restore it what it should be. In the case, of the temple of the body, it is meant to be a worship center for Christ and it needs to be restored to its original purpose. However, it cannot be a complete worship center for Christ if it is littered with merchandise, buyers, sellers, treasure, and other distractions.

Cleaning out the temple of the heart is certainly much harder than it sounds. However, Christ does not leave Christians without answers. As these passages from Luke and John continue, the Lord will reveal His plan to restore the heart and clean out the temple.

VOTE FOR SPUNKY!!!!

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:42:11 GMT

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Luke 19:45, What is in the Temple?

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 11:06:19 GMT

In Luke 19:45-48 the narrative of Jesus cleansing the temple is found. This is a very popular story about Jesus and is one that is commonly told in churches and Sunday schools. This passage, however, is implications of something much deeper than an interesting story. In fact, this passage translates directly to life and demonstrates how all Christian's hearts are to be towards Jesus Christ.

Luke 19:45 says:

Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it...(NKJV)

Before a continuation of the message can begin, it is important to understand exactly why Jesus drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple. First off, the purpose of temple is the for the worship of the Lord and for the many traditions and sacrifices that it is created for. The purpose of the temple is not for buying and selling, but for the Lord. It would be much like moving the New York Stock Exchange to the sanctuary of the nearest church. In John's account, it is stated that "He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business." The temple of the Lord is being used as a place to do business instead of a place to concentrate solely on the Lord. As Christ says, "It is to be a house of prayer" and in this case, the temple is not being used as a house of prayer. This is what causes Christ to drive out those who are buying and selling.

But, how does this relate to Christian life? Well, it is important to realize that the body is a temple in itself. While the temple of Jesus' time is for prayer, the temple of the body is to glorify God. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says:

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit...(NIV)

This passage demonstrates how the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. The two passages from Luke and from 1 Corinthians detail two types of temples. However, in both cases the "temples" are clearly for the Lord. The difference, however, is shown in the "content" of the temples. In Luke, Christ sees a temple that is defiled with what He calls "den of thieves." The "house of prayer" is being used for agendas other than prayer and other than the glorification of the Lord. This causes Jesus to drive those who are buying and selling out of the temple. In John, it is told that He has a whip, something that will be looked into deeper later in this series. However, the message always is: Look at the temple, the body, and see what is inside.

If a look is taken inside the temple or "the body," what will be seen? Is the temple being used for God's glory? Is the temple of a house of prayer? Or is it a den of thieves? These are probably difficult questions to answer for many reading this, however, it is something that all Christians need to do. If the heart is the temple and Christ visits it, does He like what He sees? Or does He notice a house of thieves? Does He need to come in and drive something out? Many questions are posed in this paragraph and they should be asked by all reading this. However, this does not end with simply the answer. The rest of the passage gives some excellent insight into how to make sure the temple is a house of prayer and not a den of thieves.

I realize that this article may be thought of as a "downer." After all, the Lord may convict us all after reading Luke 6:45. But, let me end with some encouragement. Not all hope is lost. Simply because the "temple" has some thieves in it, does not mean that the Lord cannot come in, whip in hand, and drive these evil thieves from the heart. Luke 6 assures all Christians of this and shows the Lord's faithfulness and His care. He wants to see a heart of prayer and He, whip in hand, can accomplish this.

Ezekiel 37, When in the Valley, Conclusion

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:31:06 GMT

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This is the conclusion of the Ezekiel 37: When in the Valley series. The thirty-seventh chapter of Ezekiel has illustrated the prophet's journey into the valley and how the commands of the Lord are fulfilled while in this valley. This chapter give some excellent insight into how all Christians should act when a valley comes into the picture.

Throughout this series it has been observed:

1. Be ready and be willing to go anywhere the Lord leads. (Verse 1)

2. Follow God, wait upon Him, and trust in Him when in the valley. (Verse 2)

3. Let God be God. Let Him perform His plan and try not to interfere. (Verse 3)

4. Wait upon the Lord and wait for His lesson. (Verses 4-8)

5. If we are obedient, we will be blessed by the Lord showing us amazing things in our lives. (Verses 9-10)

6. Don't give up! (Verses 11-14)

These fourteen verses provide excellent lessons and insight into what to do when we find ourselves stuck in a valley.

Ezekiel 37's message is simple: Follow the Lord, trust in the Lord, look for His lesson, let God be God, and do NOT give up. This is advice that all can find helpful when the valleys come. When the next valley comes, let us all trust in the Lord and look for what He is trying to teach.

Ezekiel 37:11-14, The Pit and the Promise: Don't Give Up!

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 23:46:36 GMT

Ezekiel's adventure in the valley of bones is continuing in Ezekiel 37:11. In this chapter, Ezekiel has been led to the valley of dry bones, walked among them, questioned concerning them, prophesied to the bones, and has witnessed the dry bones come to life and the chapter is not even halfway through yet! Thus far, Ezekiel's actions have led to many lessons regarding following God in the valleys and placing trust in Him alone. The next part of Ezekiel 37 is no different and recalls a popular saying: Don't give up!

Ezekiel 37:11 says:

Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ (NKJV)

In this passage, the entire hose of Israel is saying that their "bones are dry" and that their "hope is lost." Does this sound familiar? To many reading this, it probably does. Often, the valley becomes nearly unbearable. The attacks and problems seem to be coming from every angle. Tiredness and weariness begin to set in and the statement may finally come: I have lost my hope. At this point, it would appear that the lowest point of the valley has been reached. The lowest pit of grime and dirt has been entered and hope seems to be far away. However, the lowest point of the valley is the time when the Lord can rise up, teach His message, and demonstrate His power.

Israel, in this case, has reached a low point in the valley. And in this low point, God is looking to work. Ezekiel 37:12-14 reads:

Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it," says the LORD.’" (NKJV)

Ezekiel is commanded to prophesy and the prophecy is quite encouraging. The Lord wants to "open up your graves and cause you to come up from your graves." He wants all to "know" that He is "the Lord." He wants to put the "Spirit," so to speak, in all Christians when in the valley.

The Lord wishes to take the Christian from a point of "no hope" to a point where all Christians are alive and "up" out of the graves. The valley may feel like it is crushing down and killing the heart and the soul, yet the Lord wishes to pull us up out of that and make us live. Not only does He want life, but He wants us to leave the valley with a fresh teaching and a new revelation on what He is trying to teach. The valley may feel like the belly of a whale when Jonah says, "I have been cast out of Your sight; Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; the deep closed around me; weeds were wrapped around my head. I went down to the moorings of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever..." (NKJV) The feeling may be that we are cast out of the sight of the Lord and surrounded by the depths of the water, yet the Lord is right by our side! He is looking to bring our lives up from the pit and wishes to bring new life and teach new lesson as a result of the valley! He is the Lord and He is the God who saves!

Even when the valley is closing in all around and hope feels like it is lost, let us place our trust in the Lord and wait upon His timing. Isaiah tells us that those who wait upon the Lord shall be saved; they shall run on wings like eagles; run and not be faint. When led to the deepest part of the valley, let us not "bail" on God. Instead, let us be like Ezekiel and stay right in it. When we trust God and "stick with His plan" He will then be able to give a "new life" and teach a "new lesson" that will result in the further conforming to the Lord Jesus Christ.