We all know the story of Jesus entering the Temple and overturning the money changers tables.
It's one of the more shocking things, among a number of other ones, that he did to make a point.
Matthew describes it:
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
12 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.
13 "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'" Matthew 21:10-13 (NIV)
Matthew makes it clear, this is Jesus acting in a Prophet's role. He is angry at the way in which the Temple worship has been corrupted. Where did he get this from? The Old Testament of course.
When Solomon received the plans for the Temple from his Father David, he built it with God's blessings, even though God made it clear he "does not need a building to house me." Yet, behind the Temple's magnificence was a clear purpose.
1 Chronicles 22:5 (NIV)
David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it." So David made extensive preparations before his death.
When the Temple was built, King Solomon held a huge dedication ceremony. He used it as an opportunity to pray and declare the Temple's purposes.
2 Chronicles 6:18-21 (NIV)
18 "But will God really dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!
19 Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence.
20 May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.
21 Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.
And, Solomon adds, not just for Israelites:
2 Chronicles 6:32-33 (NIV)
32 "As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm--when he comes and prays toward this temple,
33 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.
The word "fear" you means to honor, pay respect to. Solomon understood what the Temple would do. The prayers offered there were meant to be a gathering spot for all nations of the earth. God's purposes, his grace, love and mercy are not the domain of one group of people - it is for all people.
Our Prayers Count.
Our Prayers are within Us, and From Us...1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?
A Prayer: "O Lord, you have taught us that without love, whatever we do is worth nothing: By the power of your Holy Spirit, pour into our hearts your greatest gift which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue the greatest of our needs. This we ask in your only Son's name, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen"
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