When was the last time that you entered a place and just looked around? What did you see? After Jesus’ triumphal entry in Jerusalem, he went into the temple. He went in and had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. (Mark 11:11) The Lord Jesus fulfilled what was written in Malachi 3:1 about suddenly coming to his temple. What did Jesus see and know from looking around at everything in the temple so late in the day? Upon studying the Scriptures and history we have learned that the priesthood had become corrupt, a stock and money exchange was taking place working in the favor of the priesthood. The temple was no longer a house of prayer but a place of business. This temple would be destroyed in AD 72. After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, another temple would come into being- the Church. The Apostle Paul would have to write to the Church in Corinth reminding them that they were God’s temple, “Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” So often we think of the Church as a building, a place to gather and not as a called out group of people. Then he writes, “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.” (vs.17) The Apostle Paul after writing about divorce and sexual immorality and lawsuits that were taking place in the Church writes this, “Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God?” We learn that our body is a temple of God as well. You may struggle knowing that the Lord sees clearly everything that is going on in your church and in your heart? The author of Hebrews writes that nothing is hidden from him. “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13) The good news is that because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross and resurrection from the dead he will bring about a transformation in your life beginning with your heart. As he lives his life through you the Holy Spirit will produce in you and through you what only the Lord himself can produce-his fruit, his responses no matter the situation you find yourself in. As Jesus looks around in your life will you surrender to him?
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