I Will Not Betray My HeartSample

A ZEALOUS HEART

I remember hearing about the Temple Cleansing in Sunday School as a child, wondering why Jesus was so upset. Like—was a whip really needed? And isn’t it rude to push over tables? John tells us that Jesus’ zeal for God’s House “consumed” Him—and it manifested itself in this clamorous spectacle we call the Temple Cleansing. 

Now it’s important to note that Jesus wasn’t mad at people, He was mad for people: all of the hustle and bustle of trade that was taking place occurred in the Outer Court of the Temple where the Gentiles were meant to be encountering God. Mark’s account of the Temple Cleansing records Jesus’ full quote of Isaiah 56:7, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations!” Israel wasn’t fulfilling its call to others, and what necessarily followed was the lining of its own pockets. 

Jesus’ turning over of the money changers tables and whipping of livestock is really more akin to my mother’s impassioned vacuuming and shouting of orders at us kids when we would find out guests were about to arrive shortly: it was a furious preparation of our House for others. 

This is what Heart for the House is all about: it’s all hands on deck, an energetic and heartfelt commotion of wiping down tables and stocking the pantry for those that Father is calling Home. 

In this Heart for the House season, in what way are you able to be part of the family duties of making our House a Home for those God is saving? 

PRAYER
Father—let zeal for your House totally consume us, and show us how we can practically clear the way for others this year, in Jesus' Name! 

If you would like more information about Hillsong NYC’s Heart for the House offering as well as Our Home, Our City, and Our World initiatives, please visit http://hil.so/hfthnyc. If you would like to contribute, please visit http://hil.so/hfthgive.