September 15, 2024
Adrian Rogers
Scripture Passage: Matthew 21:12
Adrian Rogers says, “Salvation is not getting Man out of Earth into Heaven; it is getting God out of Heaven into Man.”
When we were saved, we became temples of the living God. God has come to dwell within us forever. But while God will not move out, He will clean house. If we are truly His, God will do a cleansing work on our hearts.
Matthew 21:12 says, “Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers...”
In this passage, we can clearly see the temple had been profaned. The money-changers were dishonest in their dealings, stealing from the people in God’s house.
Our bodies are now the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We were saved to bring Him glory. We must ask ourselves: are we glorifying God with what we watch, listen to, consume, say, and do?
Matthew 21 also shows how Jesus purged the temple. Jesus will not live in a dirty house. As He drove the money-changers out with a whip, He will purge the junk out of our lives through chastisement.
This is not a joyful process, but it is necessary for our holiness. Sometimes rather than chastisement, God will cause disruption. When He overturns tables, pay attention.
Finally, this passage brings us back to the purpose of the temple. The temple is a place of prayer. In Matthew 21:13 Jesus says: “My house shall be called the house of prayer, but you’ve made it a den of thieves.”
We must be in the habit of praying without ceasing; the incense in our hearts should be rising all the time, praying about everything.
The temple is also a place of power; the blind and broken came for healing at the temple. God performed miracles in the temple, and this is merely an illustration of the greater things God wants to do through us: win souls for Him.
Finally, as day follows night, a place of prayer becomes a place of praise. Not only do we praise Him, but others will see His work in our lives and praise Him, too.
Is your body a temple for the living God? Are you glorifying God with your body? What is there in your life that would cause somebody else to praise God?
