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The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!’ His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’The Jews then said to him, ‘What sign can you show us for doing this?’Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. (John 2:13-22)
Dear Reader, I hope you were as blessed as I was on Sunday in church. It was a great message, great crowd was present, and we were blessed by the Chi Ro Children's Choir singing the Introit and opening special. The worship experience helped fuel my Lenten Journey! And, I pray this devotional will do the same. But never think that just reading ConCafe is a substitute for worship; it is not! Find a church home and join the happy throng of worshipers!
The title of today's devotional is really asking, "How is it with your soul?" This has NOTHING to do with YOUR physical home, the messes that you haven't cleaned up, the days since you last vacuumed, etc., How is it with your soul? It's a great question and one that John Wesley required all who wanted entrance into the Society meetings had to answer. They had to actively stay in touch with God and God's disciplines so when asked the question they could report honestly. Jesus found His Father's House in disarray. The Temple was the religious center for the Jews. It was the place for worship, the offering of sacrifices and payment of vows taken; it was designed to be a place where people could connect with God. It slowly became something else. Jesus finds a marketplace filled with the noises and smells of a barnyard and the atmosphere of a flea market. This was not acceptable! Jesus makes a whip of cords and used it to drive these money-changers and the like out of the temple. He yelled that His Father's house was not a marketplace. This, of course, like almost everything Jesus did, upset the Jews. They demanded to see a sign for doing what He did. Jesus answered in an honest but mysterious way for them, that the Temple could be destroyed and three days later, Jesus would raise it up. But, as the scripture says, He was speaking of his own body; something the disciples remembered later.
Jesus got His Father's house in order. He Himself was ready for what was coming. How is it with your soul? Have you peace in the knowledge that God loves you? Do you have hope that your life is being lived in abundance? This may be the moment of that decision to change things around inside with the help of Jesus. He came to lighten the load we feel we are carrying. If it's the weight of sin, Jesus takes our sin away. If it's the guilt and memory of past sins, those He removes as well. Once that gets taken over by Jesus, your house/soul is in order. The same holds true for where we worship and seek to grow closer to the Lord.
PRAYER: Loving God, bless this dear reader, especially his/her soul; bring us all to fullness of life in a manner that blesses others. This we pray in Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Show God's love at work in your life as you get your soul in order. Share this message with someone who might need a blessing!
Eradio Valverde
PRAYER REQUEST: Prayers of gratitude from Nellie and I for 40 years of marriage. God has been good to us and we rejoice in all the blessings He has shared with us. Prayers for Liam Carlos Vasquez, our grandson who yesterday cut his leg while playing. He was taken to an urgent care center to receive treatment. UPDATE: Liam received six stitches and is doing fine, thank God! Prayers for Mary Ann Lucas, who is in ICU fighting the flu and pneumonia. And continue to pray for one another, trusting in God and God's power to heal and bless us! .
