Zeal for Father’s house…

John 2:14-17
14 He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting. 15 He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables. 16 To those who sold the doves, he said, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will eat me up.” (WEB)

Jesus was always about His Father’s business. His mission was simply to be an exact representation of His heavenly Father (Hebrews 1:3) and ultimately become the way for mankind to come back home (John 14:6) where they belong.

I have always found today’s Scripture reading to be very interesting. While Jesus had all the time in the world for the lost, the broken and the sinner, He seemed to have most of His conflicts with the religious, the judgmental and the legalistic. While Jesus was considered a friend of sinners, there were certain things that really riled Him up. Going to His Father’s house and finding a marketplace was one of them.

While at first glance, it might appear a tad inconsistent to see the One who healed the sick and forgave the sinner making a whip and overturning tables in the temple. But the more that we understand Jesus’ heart for His heavenly Father, the more we will understand His motivation to drive out those who were misrepresenting the kindness of Almighty God.

My prayer today is that we would all realize that we are part of the same mission that Jesus began… And that is simply being about our Father’s business in whatever sphere that He has entrusted us with. I am not suggesting that we would do what Jesus did in the temple. All I am saying is that the more we become like Jesus (Romans 8:29), the more that His zeal for His Father’s house will become our zeal too.

John 14:1-3
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. (WEB)