Luke 19:45-48 - God's Holy Habitation

Three years earlier, Jesus had already cleansed the temple courtyard once (John 2:13-16). Here in Luke 19:45-48, He is seen cleansing the temple for the second time. In the duration of three years, the money changers and stall holders had crept back and again used the temple courtyard as a venue for trading and exploitation.

The purpose of the temple was violated. Instead of being a house of prayer, they had made it into a den of thieves. What did He mean by that? They had set up stalls for people to buy animals for sacrifice and would charge them at exorbitant prices, higher than their value. They had money changers for the people to acquire temple currency to pay their temple taxes. The people were also charged higher than the value. People were being exploited just because they wanted to worship God.

The contrast between the temple being a house of prayer and a den of thieves is a very strong one. God expects fragrance incense, a type of the prayers of the people, to be offered daily. But instead of sweet fragrance, it was incense that was tainted by exploitation, deceits and hypocrisy. That greatly annoyed Christ. So He drove the money changers and stall holders out.

In verse 47 Christ then went on teaching daily in the temple. Among His audience were the chief priests, scribes and the leaders of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council.  Their motive was to catch Jesus saying something that they could use to accuse Him. Their intention was to destroy Him. However, they could not find fault with Him. Furthermore the people were drinking in everything that He taught.

As believers, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in us. Paul said in I Corinthians 6:19, that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, whom we have from God, and that we are not our own. Hence we need to guard it zealously that we should not make it repulsive to the Holy Spirit. Sinful habits, wrong attitudes and worldly influence must be dealt with. 

Two thoughts for our contemplation:

·   Our bodies, the temples of God, are cleansed by the precious blood of Christ. Are we keeping it clean by washing and renewing it daily with the water of the Word of God?

·     Our daily prayers are like the incense being offered in the temple. Are we offering sweet and uncontaminated incense daily?

Be mindful that we are the dwelling place of God's eternal Spirit. Let's make our lives a true temple where the Spirit is pleased to dwell.