Overturning my tables
It was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!”
John 2:13-17
In the story of Christ cleansing the temple, I’ve always thought about the money changers and the religious leaders but I’ve never applied the story to myself, until now. Clearly Jesus was calling for change when he overturned the tables and drove out the men and animals. He knew they were so caught up in their rituals and profit that worshiping God was placed in the background.
How does that apply to me?
I asked myself what do I place in front of worshiping God?
Gossip? Selfishness? Envy? Greed? Idolatry? Deceit?
I may not be selling animals to sacrifice but my tables need to be overturned. My heart needs to be cleansed so I can fully rejoice in the glorious news of the gospel. What do you need overturned in your life?
Turn over the table of gossip:
A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid a man who talks too much.
Proverbs 20:19
Turn over the tables of selfishness & envy:
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
James 3:14
Turn over the table of greed:
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Luke 12:15
Turn over the table of idolatry:
You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.”
Ezekiel 23:49
Turn over the table of deceit:
No one who practices deceit
will dwell in my house;
no one who speaks falsely
will stand in my presence.
Psalm 101:7
Heavenly Father, I praise you for your patience and mercy. Help me to overturn my tables and cleanse my heart so that I may rise up and glorify you.
In Your holy name, I pray.
Amen.
Terri, I love the applications you have gleaned from this passage! Thanks for making me think this morning. 🙂
That was awesome! Love the image of turning the tables over… Very thought provoking!
Amen. My pastor preached a sermon called, “When Jesus Comes to town.” People get healed, lives get changes, people get offended, praise happens, THINGS GET SHAKEN UP, people start to pray…
We all need some shaking, some table-turning. Thanks for all the great verses!
Oh, I’m lettin’ Him turn some tables over in my life, big time. Fear, self-will/ self-reliance, among others. But, it is cleansing…and freeing. And just like the cleansing the temple, it clears the way for prayer and worship. Great post today!
Thank you Terri,
I have been blessed by this post. I realize there are many things that I must overturn before my heart is open enough to fully receive the world. Hugs and Blessings..
Thank you Terri for your wonderful words this morning. I always have to battle the issue of pride. I just wish He would take it from me. But maybe I need that in order to reminded that I am not righteous.
Blessings on yor day and always…
Terri,
This was written just for me. God has asked me to surrender an area of my life. It is appropriate that today you wrote this post. I love it that you chose to use an example from the passion week.
You have set me on a new journey. Thank you so much. So well written. Blessings, Lynn
You have really blessed my heart with this post, thanks terri.
Wow. Great insight there, Terri. Wonderful post.
Terri-
This devotion was fabulous! I never made the connection that when Jesus overturned the tables and signaled for change that it is a call for us to change as weill. My first thought about being caught up in rituals had to do with the Easter holiday that is coming up. I really need to reflect on that and see how I need to change things so that we are not conforming to the world.
Thank you for such an insightful post!
Jenny