Devo Week 14

Cleansing the Temple - From a Place to a Person

When God rearranges furniture, we should take note. Biblically, this is when everything that can be shaken is shaken. (Heb. 12:27) The image of God is one thing that cannot be shaken, but it can be marred as well as redeemed. Worship in spirit and in truth is centered around the person of Jesus as the Messiah. (John 4:23-24) God cannot be limited to a specific place. Geography and Jerusalem are significant in God's Kingdom plan, but Jesus Himself is the center and the King, after all. (Heb. 7:1-3) This shift in worship, from a place to a Person, is crucial as we engage the least, the last and the lost.

Key Concept: Worship and Geography

The cleansing of the temple was a wake up call to the purpose and expression of the Kingdom of God. True spiritual authority shifted from the temple to the person of Jesus, where it will forever remain. This is the revelation of God's new temple, His body. (John 2:19-21; Eph. 2:19-22)

Today, this shift is still in process.

Under the Old Testament (OT), worship was centered around the temple, priesthood, feasts and rituals. The OT is primarily a record of God choosing a specific people, Israel, and His covenant through them to bless all nations. (Gen. 12:3) The chosen people were in covenant with God to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah for the Jews and all nations. Subsequently, we can see that God's purpose was to bless all nations, having created all people in His image to be hosts of His glory and presence.

Viewing all nations as made in God's image enables us to relate cross-culturally according to God's desire and design. This one simple fact could bring the blessing of God to all nations. Spreading the Gospel is not about taking people to Jerusalem to worship, but rather introducing them to Jesus, who seeks to build a home among them. This New Testament (NT) temple of God is being built among all nations, from Israel and Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. This is a spiritual temple that will be expressed through people in all locations. (Eph. 2:19-22)

Key Word Phrase: Turn the Tables

-- To change or reverse something dramatically.

Excerpt from Devotional 14 with highlighted word phrase:

“Perhaps the phrase 'turn the tables' originated from the life of Jesus. Often, wherever He went dramatic change and complete reversal of situations occurred. From turning water into wine, the guilty to forgiven, the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the demonized to freedom, He was – and is -- the master transformer.”

Scripture: Mark 11:17

“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (NIV)