The Cleansing Of The Temple
LENT 2025 DEVOTIONAL:
John 2:13-25 (NIV)
(Justin Ong, Associate Lay Leader)
The passage from John 2:13-25 describes Jesus cleansing the Temple in Jerusalem. Upon witnessing merchants and money changers exploiting the sacred space, Jesus drove them out with a whip and overturned their tables. This dramatic event underscored His fervent devotion to God’s house and emphasised the need for reverence and purity in worship.
By expelling those who had turned the Temple into a marketplace, Jesus highlighted the sanctity of places dedicated to prayer. His actions served as a powerful reminder of the essential holiness of worship spaces, which must remain free from exploitation and distractions.
Moreover, Jesus’ prediction of His death and resurrection marked Him as the true Temple, the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity. This act reinforces the necessity of focusing exclusively on God, free from worldly concerns.
The cleansing of the Temple serves as a profound metaphor for the purification of our hearts. Jesus’ forceful actions remind us to eliminate anything that diverts us from genuine worship, including internal attitudes such as greed, pride, and selfishness. We are called to demonstrate a fervent dedication to God and maintain the reverence of our worship through prayer, adherence to God’s commandments, and bringing honour to His name in every aspect of our lives.
There was a time just after my graduation where I would immerse myself in building my career. With the added responsibilities of marriage and children, I often found myself pressed for time, frequently skipping church on Sundays to meet project deadlines. My dedication in the professional realm bore fruit with several promotions, and I felt gratified by my achievements.
However, with the tragic event on September 11, 2001, the economy took a downturn, and my company decided to close down my division. The news hit me like a storm, leaving me in a state of shock and helplessness. It was in that moment of profound uncertainty that I turned back to God, seeking His guidance and comfort through earnest prayer. In His boundless grace, God provided me with not just one, but two job offers, giving me the opportunity to choose my new path. This divine intervention was a turning point in my life.
Since then, I have felt a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude, leading me to serve actively in church. I joined various ministries, dedicating my time and efforts to serve the Lord. This journey of faith has not only enriched my spiritual life but has also been a transformative process, shaping my attitude and temperament. Through service, prayer, and obedience to God’s commandments, I strive to honour His name in every aspect of my life, maintaining the reverence of my worship and demonstrating a fervent dedication to Him.
Reflection Questions:
1. How can you ensure that your places of worship and your heart remain free from distractions in order to focus on God?
2. What internal attitudes or external habits might you need to “cleanse” in order to deepen your relationship with God?
3. Reflecting on your own experiences, how has God intervened in your life during times of uncertainty?
