KNOW JESUS, KNOW HIS STORY: 8-Day Easter Reading Planਨਮੂਨਾ

Day 2: Cleansing the Temple

In this powerful scene at the temple, we see the intensity of Jesus’ passion for genuine worship and reverence for God. The temple in Jerusalem was intended as a sacred space, a home for God’s presence among His people, a place where worship and prayer could flow freely. But over time, it shifted into a bustling marketplace, where the focus was more on business deals than connecting with God.

When Jesus walks in, His righteous anger bursts forth. He starts overturning tables and driving out the merchants—not out of frustration or a personal grudge, but from a deep-seated concern for the sanctity of the space designed for people to encounter God. His words resonate with purpose: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” He highlights the original intention of the temple as a welcoming place for everyone, not just the privileged few who could afford to buy sacrifices. Instead, it had devolved into a site of exploitation and greed, where profit overshadowed the sacred.

When Jesus declares, “You have made it a den of robbers,” He isn't merely critiquing their business practices; He’s shining a light on how overshadowed their hearts have become by selfishness and desires that have no place in a space meant for divine holiness. This temple cleansing is about more than clearing out physical corruption; it's a call for each of us to reflect on the state of our hearts. It challenges us to consider: What clutter is in our lives? What distractions, sins, or selfish behaviours keep us from worshipping God?

Jesus wants our hearts to be holy spaces—pure, undistracted, and centred on Him. Just as He cleansed the temple, He wishes to cleanse us, removing anything hindering our relationship with God. So, take a moment to ask yourself: What areas of your life need His loving touch? Are there distractions or desires that have made it challenging for you to worship Him fully in spirit and truth?

Know Him More:

1. Invite Jesus to Cleanse Your Heart: Ask Jesus to purify your heart in your quiet time. Invite Him to remove the distractions and sins that don’t honour Him.
2. Make Space for Worship: Set aside dedicated prayer, Bible reading, and reflection time. Release anything that keeps you from a deeper connection with God.