Jesus cleansed the Temple at Passover time twice. At the first Passover, He said… “Take these things from here! Do not make My Father’s House a house of merchandise!” (John 2:16). At the final Passover, He said, “It is written: My House shall be called by all nations The House of Prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves” (Mark 11:17).
But when Jesus walked away from the Temple, just a few days later, He said these ominous words… “Behold, YOUR HOUSE is left to you desolate. For I say to you, you shall not see Me anymore, until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’” That Temple had been 46-years in building. It was a wonder of the world. But without Jesus, it was a meaningless mass of bricks and stones. The Holy Occupant, turning buildings into Temples, had left.
God has never wanted buildings. He wants living temples of flesh and bone, who will welcome His Son as Lord and Savior… “That Christ may dwell (settle down and be at home) in your hearts by faith” (Ephesians 3:17). But as we fast-forward 2000 years, many of the lukewarm Churches of our day are happier with Christ on the outside (Revelation 3:17-20). They have chosen the emporium over Christ; the approval of the government over Heaven; the woke whims of immorality which justify sin, over the holiness of God; fables over Truth. We can hear the words of Christ echo today… “Behold, your house is left to you desolate.”
As in Jesus’ day, the atmosphere for sincere followers of Christ is growing even more hostile. But for all who have received HIM, who have made their hearts His mansion here on earth, Jesus has given this Passover promise… “In My Father’s House are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2,3).
Maranatha.
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