Zeal For Your House Will Consume Me | John 2

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the courts, he found people 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 courts, 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! Stop turning my father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me. [John 2:13-17]

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It’s probably safe to say that most of us have been somewhere or participated in an event that we were excited about. It could have been a concert of a favorite singer, to a store after a much-desired purchase, perhaps a first date or outing with a special friend. Countless details of the experience might have been subpar but because of our mission— the ZEAL of what we were hoping to achieve; The details that would normally subtract from our experience, never even factored into the equation or made it to the final sum when calculating the value of the event.

Without noticing it, sometimes our church attendance can become more of a routine or a task to be checked off. We can come expecting a ‘show’ that will entertain us without any effort or forethought on our part. We might have a list of people that we need to meet while there so that we can discuss our own agenda. Other times we can get so busy with the ‘maintenance of His house’ that we neglect our own relationship with our Father or we forget His introduction to others.

If Jesus came in to do a sweep of the building you attend what are the things that he might get rid of? If he were sweeping your heart, where would he call your attention? Could it be that your response to what you see and hear is a reflection of your own expectations? –And that the measurement of your zeal is an indicator of your engagement? After all, to be consumed is not just to put something in but to give yourself over to the purpose.

LET US PRAY

Father God, we thank you for a good word but also for your mercy. That as our Father you pour out love to us again and again and bring restoration. Speak to our hearts about who we are when we come to see you. Help us tune our heart and our activities to the things that serve your purpose. Help us be bold enough to stand up for the things that honor you and end the things that don’t. Remind us of the things that have impacted our zeal and help us take our relationship to a new level.

THINK ABOUT IT

To the kids – [Parent's take a few minutes to read through this devotion with your child. If you're commuting together, have them read it and answer the questions below.]

1.     What are the reasons that we go to church?

2.     Why is that important?

3.     When you go to church what are some of the things that you look for, or what activities do you participate in that might not line up with our reason for going?

Parents – What about you? [These questions are intended for you to complete on your own. You can certainly discuss them too, if you feel that they are age appropriate.]

1.     You can’t be ‘consumed’ by more than one thing. If you had to pick one, what is it that consumes you? Don’t just limit this reflection to Sunday. What are the things that consume you Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday? Does your love for His church or his people carry over or are you instead consumed by fear, ambition [things you hope to accomplish], anxiety, or even frustration about things that disappoint you?

2.     From an outsider’s perspective, what activities could someone see or hear about your involvement in that might seem less than holy?

3.     If we find that we are more excited about other events, activities, and relationships, could it be that those things also receive our worship?

4.     When looking at the activities in your church, what things stand out to you as lacking or less holy. Talk to your Pastor about it. See how you can get involved.

Going Deeper [A journal prompt] - Meditate on this today and later this afternoon write your reflections below. What part of this devotion spoke the most to you and why? Is there something that you can do in response?