Why Do I Have a Headache?

John 2:19-21  records a question the Jews asked Jesus as well as Christ’s response. Their question? “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” The “things” Jesus had done included driving sheep and oxen out of the temple, pouring out the money changers’ coins, overturning their tables, ordering them, “Stop making My Father’s house a place of business,” and then as recorded in Matthew 21:13 chiding them, “My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you are making it a robbers’ den.”  In other words, Jesus acted like He owned “the house – the temple.” He called for others to account for their behavior regarding His temple, His house.

Jesus’s comment in John 2:19, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” was not understood. The people thought Jesus was talking about the stone temple. Instead, He was talking about His body, the temple of God living among men. As Jesus foretold, He did raise His body three days after they destroyed it. Miraculous!

There are two points God is driving home to me in regard to Jesus’s actions and words regarding His temple.

First, the stone temple from which Jesus drove out the money changers was not divine because of the rocks but because of the presence of God – it being a place of prayer.  The stone temple no longer exists nor is Jesus tabernacling among us. Rather, since Christ’s resurrection,  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 explains that God tabernacles among us through His indwelling Holy Spirit in each believer. Every Christian is a temple of the Holy Spirit. A temple of prayer. A temple housing the glory of God. It is beyond our comprehension and amazing. Say it out loud, “The glory of God is in me.”

What does that mean for us? First, it makes me incredibly mindful that Jesus drove from the temple the things that were not supposed to be there. For me, that means Jesus wants to purify me of anything that hinders God’s glory shining forth in me. Second, since I am a temple of the Holy Spirit and God’s temple is a place of prayer, then I am to be not only in a constant state of being purified but I am also to be mindfully praying, seeking the will and heart of Christ, interceding for others, listening for and obeying God’s voice. What a blessing! What glory for us to be partakers of the divine nature and to be God’s temples! Are you mindful of the blessing? Are you sensitive to what Christ is driving out of you? Are you becoming increasingly prayerful? That is your blessing.

Lord Jesus, You are the divine temple of the Most High. You have appointed us as temples in whom You dwell through the Holy Spirit, tabernacling among our families, friends, neighbors, and world. Increase our awareness of Your presence and the glorious position You have given us. Drive out anything that keeps Your glory from shining and from prayer flowing between us.

Could you use some encouragement about Christ’s tender mercy and provision for you? If so, you’ll find it in my study, If God is In Control, Why…..

John 2:19-21  records a question the Jews asked Jesus and His response.  Their question? “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” The “things” Jesus had done included driving the sheep and oxen out of the temple, pouring out the money changers’ coins, overturning their tables, and ordering them, “Stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” In other words, Jesus acted like He owned the TEMPLE. Jesus’s replied, “Destroy the TEMPLE and I’ll rebuild it in three days.” Jesus wasn’t talking about the stone temple, however. He was talking about His body, the temple of His Holy Spirit. As Jesus foretold, He raised His body three days after they destroyed it. Miraculous, yes. But a point God is driving home to me concerns Jesus’s actions and words regarding His temple. He drove out all that wasn’t supposed to be in it. Certainly, He must feel the same about our body, His  TEMPLE, in whom His Spirit dwells and the collective body of Christians, His TEMPLE. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) What in us individually and what in the church body, both His, would He drive out? As an individual Christian, I must examine myself with the full understanding that God’s goal is to perfect me and conform me to the image of Christ. As the body of Christ we must examine ourselves with the full understanding that we are to be distinct from the world, marked by Christ’s love and light.

Lord Jesus, TEMPLE of the Most High, thank You for coming from heaven and tabernacling in us. Drive out all that is in us that dishonors You so we are a beacon to the unsaved and a fellowship for the saved. 

Could you use some encouragement about Christ’s tender mercy and provision for you? If so, you’ll find it in my study, If God is In Control, Why…..