THE RIGHT ZEAL

MONDAY, 7TH NOVEMBER, 2022.

 

Topic: THE RIGHT ZEAL

MEMORIZE: "And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up" (John 2:17).

SCRIPTURE READING: JOHN 2:14-25.

“And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!" Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up." So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.”

EXPOSITION:

People who are known to have accomplished one task or the other for God have one unique attribute - they never allowed themselves to be negatively influenced by popular opinion. The prompt intervention of Phinehas, when he killed the adulterous man of Israel and the Midianitish woman, stayed the plague that came upon the nation as a result of sin. Phinehas' unprecedented zeal won him a place in the Scriptures. Also, God entered into a covenant of peace with him (Numbers 25:1-13).

In our passage today, Jesus manifested a similar zeal by throwing out those who had converted the house of God into a den of robbers. He did not carry out the exercise to be seen and commended of men. He was angry at the level of desecration of the holy place. After cleansing the temple, he also performed certain miracles before the scribes and Pharisees; yet, He did not allow Himself to be carried away by the praise of the masses. He was a man who demonstrated authority that had never been seen. He did not allow Himself to be swayed by praise singers. Jesus knew that those who sang His praise would one day crucify Him. All He did was to please God.

Christ's attitude to the praise-singing members of the public is very instructive. As believers, we must endeavour to seek the praise of God in all that we do. Anything to the contrary is sinful and should be avoided. We must not allow popular opinion to discourage us from doing God's will. We should always listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Had Phinehas or Jesus consulted with the people, they would not have pleased the Lord.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Don't wear your faith as the fashion of your hat.

PRAYER POINT: Lord, cleanse my temple (my heart) by the blood of Jesus Christ.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  John 8-11.