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Face to Face:Zeal
by J. Ross Greer of The Place of Grace Ministries (about the ministry)
[Note: If you'd like to read more from J. Ross Greer, be sure to subscribe to his daily e-mail list A Word For The Church.]
13The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business." 17His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house will consume me." 18The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?" 19Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20The Jews then said, "It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" 21But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. 23Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. 24But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, 25and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.
It certainly did not take Jesus long to stir things up with Jewish leaders. Passover was to be a time of remembrance of the faithfulness of God. However, certain of the Jews had found it to be a wonderful time for lining their pockets with the money of the worshippers. Jesus took great exception to their actions.
Are we filled with that kind of zeal for the things of God? When we enter the house of God, are we focused upon communing with God? Do we seek His presence, or are we more concerned with who is there, what they are wearing, what kind of car they are driving, and how the "big game" turned out on Saturday?
Certainly, the church building is not, in of itself, a holy place. However, we gather together for a holy calling. Everything we do is to focus upon God the Father and His Son, Jesus. We need to be passionate about worshiping God!
"Many believed in His name." When we seriously focus ourselves on lifting up Jesus, when we zealously proclaim His name, people will be drawn to Him. They will believe and follow Him. Does that which consumed Jesus consume us?
Copyright 2002, The Place of Grace Ministries. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About The Place of Grace Ministries: In 1992, God interrupted the well-organized life of J. Ross Greer through a study called "Experiencing God". This encounter birthed a passionate vision for local churches that has become The Place of Grace Ministries. Through teaching, music, and writing, we call believers to return to the basic principles of God's Word and participate in the work of God. For questions or scheduling information, please contact us at: theplaceofgrace@att.net Or visit our web site at: http://home.att.net/~theplaceofgrace/theplaceofgrace.html |
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