Easter Weekend Devotional Day 4
DAY 4 – Thursday
Daily devotional
Read
Matthew 21:12-13, Proverbs 31:8-9, Acts 4, 1 Cor. 6:19-20 (Countdown to the Cross)
Ask
What are you zealous for? Where does your passion and devotion lie?
Reflect
As we look at this last week of Jesus life we notice that he is holding nothing back. Jesus has brought his “A-game” and he was prepared to leave it all out there. The day Jesus entered the temple he disrupted the business of religion and in doing so drew the anger of the religious leaders who had already decided to kill him. Naturally Jesus, being zealous for God’s house and God’s children, took action. Jesus would not stand for such abuse upon those who sought to be closer to God. This theme carries throughout the Gospels. These were men and women coming to the temple in order to offer sacrifice to the Lord, and they were being taken advantage of. In that moment, Jesus showed himself again to be the voice to the voiceless and the defender of the defenseless. He caused a scene, ruffled feathers, and no doubt stirred hearts. His righteous anger led to a holy and teachable moment that would be repeated after his death, resurrection and ascension.
In Acts 4 we see His disciples preaching and demonstrating the same fire as Jesus. Peter and John have been making waves in the temple, healing a lame man and boldly proclaiming the message of Jesus and His resurrection. They, like their Master disrupted the religious order. Not to create dissension, but to set those held captive by an unreachable religious standard free and to receive the grace of God that comes from faith in Christ.
What are you zealous for? Where does your passion and devotion lie? For Jesus and his disciples it was all about serving the lost and broken, bringing hope and freedom to all who would receive it. The cleansing of the temple by Jesus allowed the presence of God once more to fill it. The cleansing of our heart by Jesus’ blood allows God’s Spirit to fill us. As Christ followers the Bible says we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Since our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit what cleansing needs to happen? Take time to today reflecting on what it means to have God’s Spirit within you.