Bible Reading: 1Kings 19-20; John 1:29-51
Memory verse: “And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.” 1 John 2:17 (KJV)
The house of God is a place where everyone coming to worship should come with a certain level of excitement and enthusiasm because of the things which takes place there. The temple was a place where God’s presence came down and the people saw it during the time of Solomon such that the whole Israel became blessed abundantly in all sides.
However, as years went by, the excitement and enthusiasm for the temple of God was gradually being replaced by excitement generated by the human activities going on in the temple. People now see the temple ground as a place where businesses of buying, selling and exchange of material things takes place contrary to its original use as a place where spiritual exchange are sought for. In fact, the business men have taken their business beyond the area physically allowed for business.
Any one who truly desire the things of God will righteously condemn these activities and that is what Jesus did. Bible tells us John 2:15-16 (KJV), “And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; [16] And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” He was so jealous of God like Elijah was in today’s bible reading (1 Kings 19:10). Majority of the people in Israel have shifted their focus from God to other gods causing Elijah to be jealous for God.
Both Prophet Elijah and Jesus displayed a zeal for God that was noticed by all during their time showing us an example of how our worship to God should be. Are you zealous for God and His house? Let your energy and excitement about God be hinged solely on the spiritual benefits you stand to gain by coming to Him. Only then can your zeal bring you closer to Him.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu