Devotionals for April 12, 2022
Join us for a special communion service on Good Friday at 7:00pm!
READ
MATTHEW 21:12-13
Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”
1 CORINTHIANS 6:18-20
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”
1 CORINTHIANS 6:18-20
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
REFLECTS
This is Jesus’s first act after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He cleared the Temple of greed and corruption. People were taking advantage of travelers who couldn’t bring a sacrifice long distances. The sellers treated God’s holy space as a marketplace with unjust scales — something God despises. So, Jesus clears out the corruption. He makes room in His Father’s holy space for justice and righteousness. Likewise, the Apostle Paul draws this connection to our bodies as “temples for the Holy Spirit.” Jesus paid a high price to clear out our sin and to make room for HIs Holy Spirit. We are not our own.
APPLY
Q: Why does Paul end this passage with “Therefore honor God with your bodies”?
Q: Do you see your body and life as a sacred space for the Holy Spirit? What needs clearing out in the name of Jesus?
Q: By clearing out the robbers from the Temple, Jesus made room for the meek and humble who wanted to worship God. How is your life reflecting the heart of your King to others?
Q: Do you see your body and life as a sacred space for the Holy Spirit? What needs clearing out in the name of Jesus?
Q: By clearing out the robbers from the Temple, Jesus made room for the meek and humble who wanted to worship God. How is your life reflecting the heart of your King to others?
SING
“King of Glory” by Passion
PRAY
"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Father, your Kingdom is all that is good, just, and loving. May it come in my heart, in my city, and in those around me. May I reflect your righteousness and love to others today. Lord, I look forward to your return where your Kingdom will restore all things. I praise you in your holy name! Amen.
Father, your Kingdom is all that is good, just, and loving. May it come in my heart, in my city, and in those around me. May I reflect your righteousness and love to others today. Lord, I look forward to your return where your Kingdom will restore all things. I praise you in your holy name! Amen.