Day 2

Setting Things In Order

READING:
Mark 11:15-33

Anger can easily get the best of us. We get mad on the freeway, mad while shopping, mad at fast food “slowness”...and our culture seems chronically on the verge of violence. Some people think God is angry with us. Nothing could be further from the truth. He is not mad at you, but He is mad about you!

The Bible does indicate that there is a “righteous anger” and that one can be “angry and not sin.” Jesus, the day after His celebrated arrival in Jerusalem, went to the Temple grounds and was stunned to once again see this holy space surrendered to commerce and exploitation. Vendors were selling sacrifices at a premium, and in place of shouts of praise to God were the loud voices of vendors bargaining over miscellaneous trinkets...maybe even “Passover ’33 A.D.” T-shirts. When Jesus saw all this, in righteous anger, He cleared out the temple.

We learn in the New Testament that our bodies are the new “temple” of the Holy Spirit. God’s presence now resides within us, and not primarily at a location. So, the question is, are there certain things that you allow to have a spot in the temple of your body, or mind, emotions or will, that should be cleared out? Even things that start with good intentions can sometimes devolve into illicit focus or worship.

Do you worship your stuff more than the Giver?

Is a special relationship more important than your relationship with God?

Do you prioritize your time around your personal pursuits, or around seeking the Father?

Maybe it’s time for some “spring cleaning.”