Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Sanctification of the Church: A sanctified view of the altar 

Bible Reading: John 2: 13-22

Key verse  16

16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.”
 
DEVOTION

When Jesus entered the temple courts, He was not simply reacting to dishonest business practices. He was defending the holiness of His Father's house. The temple was intended to be a place where God's presence was honored, yet it had become filled with distractions, selfish gain, and spiritual corruption. With righteous zeal, Jesus cleansed the temple and restored its purpose.
This scene reveals an important truth about Christ. At Cana, Jesus quietly provided joy and blessing at a wedding feast. In Jerusalem, He displayed holy authority and judgment. Both moments reveal His character. He is full of grace, yet He is also committed to righteousness. He comforts, but He also confronts.
Today, God's temple is no longer a building. Scripture teaches that believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). Christ dwells within us, and He desires that our lives be holy places where His presence is welcomed and honored.
It is easy to read this passage and focus on the sins of the money changers. Yet the greater question is: what has taken up residence in our own hearts? Unconfessed sin, selfish ambition, bitterness, pride, or impurity can quietly set up shop within the temple of God. Jesus loves us too much to leave us that way. In His grace, He works to cleanse what does not belong. When the marketplaces of our hearts are cleansed and cleared out we are then filled with love towards God and our neighbours. We will then have the true perspective of the altar to make the sacrifice of our hearts.
Let us take time today to invite the Lord to examine our heart. Let us ask Him to reveal anything that dishonours Him. Let us not wait for His discipline to remove what we should willingly surrender. Through repentance and obedience, let us make room for Christ to reign freely in the temple that belongs to Him.

PRAYER

 Lord Jesus, thank you for dwelling within me. Search my heart and cleanse anything that does not honour you. Help me to guard my life as your temple and to glorify you in all I do. Amen.
 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me Psalm 51:10


Bindhu George
Melbourne Mar Thoma Church 
Melbourne, Australia 

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