A House of Prayer

"And he said to them, 'It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.' And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' they were indignant." - Matthew 21:13-15

Yesterday, we looked at a passage in the gospel of John that described a time when Jesus was angered by what was going on in the temple and sought to restore it to the way God intended it. Today, I want us to look at another passage, this time in the gospel of Matthew, where a similar event takes place.

In our key passage today, Jesus enters the temple and discovers that it has been turned into a marketplace, a place where people sought their own gain rather than seeking God. In order to counteract this behavior, Jesus declares that the temple is to be a house of prayer, a sacred space for communion with the Father. He drives out the merchants, restoring the intended purpose of the temple.

In our lives, it is vital to examine the state of our hearts and ensure that they too remain houses of prayer. We must guard against the distractions and worldly pursuits that can crowd out our devotion to God. It is all too easy to fill our lives with busyness, material possessions, and selfish ambitions, neglecting the need for intimate communion with our Creator.

However, we should be mindful that not everyone will understand or appreciate our pursuit of God. The religious leaders of Jesus' time were indignant when they witnessed the children praising Him in the temple. In a world that often values conformity and self-centered pursuits, our commitment to prayer and worship may draw criticism and opposition.

If you find yourself facing this kind of opposition, I want to encourage you to remain steadfast in your devotion to God, regardless of others' reactions. May we all be like the children who boldly cried out, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" May our worship and prayer be genuine expressions of love and adoration, unhindered by the opinions of others.

Dear Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that my life can easily become crowded with distractions, pulling me away from the sacredness of prayer. Help me to create a space in my heart where You are honored and worshiped, a place where I seek Your presence above all else. May my life be a reflection of Your love and grace, even when others may not understand or support my devotion to You. In Jesus' name, amen.