Houses of Prayer

Jesus had a strong encounter on the temple mount with people who were buying and selling, making His Father’s house a den of robbers.  What were they stealing?  Quite a few things actually, but namely a person’s unique opportunity and privilege to pray.  To meet God.

The temple was a focal point of the people.  A holy place, set apart for a special purpose.  A place to offer prayer and sacrifices to God.  A dwelling where the very presence of God met humanity.  That is why Jesus turned the tables and said, “My house will be called a house of prayer.”  A sanctified spot where God and humanity would talk and commune together.  A place Jesus was willing to fight for and turn a few tables.

This was a special place but why did Jesus call the temple a house of prayer?  In this case, the temple was God’s house, where the shekinah glory of God dwelled.  Jesus was talking about the temple as the house of prayer, but what if he was talking about something even greater? What if he was also referring to himself?  The very walking, talking, active presence of God seen and heard in the person and work of Jesus.  A temple (or house) of God. At another time Jesus referred to His body as a temple while talking to the leaders around the temple complex and he said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it in three days.”  The leaders thought he was talking about the building structure.  He wasn’t.

As Jesus was turning the tables on the temple mount what if He was making a public statement, a declaration of something precious to him and available to everyone when he said, my house - my body, my life - will be a house of prayer, a temple of my Father.  A place where the Father’s very presence can be met and His power can be demonstrated.  As he stood with his chest heaving and sweat beaded on his forehead, a strand of cords in his hand and shekels tossed at his feet, he must have longed for the day when the people would see this for themselves. Perhaps thinking: What about your temples?  Are you ready to become houses of God? 

“God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27 – emphasis mine).  You were created to have Christ live in you, to be a house of God, a living holy of holies.  Is Jesus in your house? Are you ready to proclaim, like Jesus, “My house will be a house of prayer”?