Enough: Lent Devotionalsਨਮੂਨਾ

ENOUGH: TEMPLE

“Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. ‘Do you see all these things?’ he asked. ‘Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’” (Matthew 24:1-2)

Matthew Morrison spent one summer volunteering in Burundi with Tearfund Go.

Walking around London soon after I had returned from my Tearfund placement in Burundi, I remember feeling a bit sick after seeing the dazzling lights around the city. I wondered, where do we find the one true living God in places of great glamour and wealth?

The temple in Jerusalem had become a place of hypocrisy (Matthew 23). The Pharisees had lost sight of what it meant to serve God and were instead desperate for wealth, approval and glory. They were ignoring the state of their hearts and neglecting “the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness.” (Matthew 23:23) 

Jesus knew it was only a matter of time before the temple was no longer God’s only home on earth. God’s holy presence would no longer be restricted to the tabernacle, but could be accessed anywhere, by anyone, at any time. 

We might feel shocked that God could make His home in our hearts, but we can come away from the chaos and remember the important things. He is ready to live in us if we are ready for Him.

Father, thank You for breaking down the walls that separate us from You. Thank You that Your presence is now with us everywhere, all the time. Help us to honor You with our lives. Help us to seek the things that bring You glory. Help us to remember the important matters of justice, mercy and faithfulness today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Matthew Morrison, Tearfund volunteer