John
2:13-25
New
International Version (NIV)
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.”[c]
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.[d] 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.
Daniel’s Thoughts:
Even in the places we consider to be holy, we let our brokenness
enter. We let our churches, our bible studies our hearts be filled with
darkness. But Jesus is clearing them out. Jesus will be harsh and not let
anything stand between us and him. He will come into our communities and our
hearts the deepest darkest corner and clear them. We often hide and run away
afraid of this. But it is for our good and these things keep us from truly
living and following God with joy.
God’s chastening is never enjoyable, but it is for our good. God
always uses it to bring us back to him so that we might follow him and find
life. Israel constantly turned from God. God corrected them harshly by handing
them over to other nations to be ruled and exiled. But God was redeeming Israel
and at work. Israel may have felt God had abandoned them, but in fact God was
the one at work and this was his plan for their good,
It is hard to remember this when we are being chastened or in
suffering. But I pray we would center on Christ and trust in our Lord even when
things seem to be going wrong and we don’t understand. Jesus warned his
disciples he would suffer and die. Yet they forgot and doubted when he dieed on
the Cross. Yet our God is faithful even when we are not. Jesus did rise from
the dead three days later as we celebrate Easter and every day!
Why should we trust him and believe his promises?
Because Jesus is our Lord and savior. He has promised to give us
hope and a future. He has promised to work all for our good and in the end to
save us through his sacrifice by faith in him.
Daniel’s Prayer:
Lord
I am broken.
We as your church your bride are broken
We fear your cleansing
But come and clear our hearts
Center us completely on you
Help us to trust in you
In the hard times
When you correct us
Help us see the bigger picture
You work all for our good
You are faithful
You have promised to give us hope and a future
Thank you Lord!
Amen
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