During the last week of his ministry, before he was crucified, Jesus entered Jerusalem. According to Mark, after arriving in Jerusalem, Jesus went into the Temple to look around. It was late so he left. The next day, he entered the temple and cleared it out. He threw the tables over, knocked over people’s chairs, tossed their money into the air and drove everyone out of the Temple courtyard. (See Mark 11:11-17) This is often referred to as Jesus cleansing the temple. I like how one pastor described it... Jesus threw a temple tantrum.

Why did Jesus demonstrate such behavior? Was it because people were using the Temple as a place to sell doves for sacrifices and make money for their own selfish ambitions? That is a big part. But the biggest reason is the activity in God’s house wasn’t focused on worshipping God! Jesus got rid of everything that did not glorify the Father.

What is the best way to worship God in our everyday lives? We start by getting rid of all the things that distract us from him. What bad habits do we have that distract us from our relationship with Christ? What about our thought life? Now that spring is here, let’s do some spring cleaning and cleanse the temples that are our bodies. 

If you find it difficult to remove some things from your life, let Jesus throw a temple tantrum in your life! He will remove all things that separate you from Him.  But get ready, he will toss things around and your life will be changed!

It’s not always easy letting someone see our dirty laundry. Letting Christ in means letting him see all of us. But he wants to cleanse you. He’s a deep cleaner. There are some stains that only he can remove.

Cleaning is hard work isn’t it? Yet he is willing to do what it takes and cleanse our hearts for us. Are you willing to do what it takes and let him in?