Articles
Cleansing the Temple - Part 5
This is the final article in our series focusing on Jesus cleansing the temple (Mt. 21:12-13; Mk. 11:15-18; Lk. 19:45-47; John 2:13-17). In previous articles, we first observed that Jesus’ teaching on love and mercy must be balanced with the way He cleansed the temple. Second, we noted that Jesus had authority over the temple and us. Third, the temple (and the church by extension) have a purpose which must not be corrupted. Fourth, zeal consumed Jesus, compelling Him to take action. In these articles, we have repeatedly observed what had gone wrong at the temple that led to such drastic measures. Let us finish by considering how things should have been.
The Jewish people had turned the temple into a place of business (John 2:16) and a robber’s den (Mt. 21:13). However, the temple was supposed to be “a house of prayer” (Mt. 21:13).
The temple began with prayer. After the temple’s construction, the artifacts of the tabernacle were brought in and the cloud of God’s presence filled the temple (I Kings 8:1-11). Then Solomon stood before the altar and “spread out his hands toward heaven” and prayed to God (I Kings 8:22-54).
The temple was a central focus-point of prayer. In Solomon’s inauguration prayer, he acknowledged that God could not be contained in any building or even on the earth (I Kings 8:27), but called on God to have His eyes opened “toward this house night and day…to listen to the prayer which Your servant shall pray toward this place” (I Kings 8:29). Solomon continued by giving all sorts of examples of prayers for God to hear. In some of them, the people would pray and make supplication “in this house” (I Kings 8:33). However, Solomon acknowledged that there were several instances where people would be unable to come to the temple, so if they would, instead, pray toward the city and house then God would still hear those prayers (I Kings 8:41-53). Truly, the temple was to be a house of prayer.
One wonders, should the new spiritual temple—the church—be any less a house of prayer? We are to be a people who pray without ceasing (I Thes. 5:17) and are devoted to prayer (Col. 4:2; I Cor. 7:5). We are to “be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer” (I Pet. 4:7). Obviously, there are some differences. The temple was a physical location and the people were to pray literally in that direction. The church is scattered across the globe, and does not serve as the direction of our prayer. But prayer should still be the nature of the church, correct?
I have heard sermons on how important sermons are and how much time should be set aside for them in our assemblies. I have heard (and made) arguments that the Lord’s Supper deserves more time and focus in our assemblies. Singing has many advocates too. Some say we need to have more songs during our assemblies. Entire assemblies are dedicated to singing. They become area wide singings. And people love them. They travel far and wide to attend the singing. You won’t hear complaint from me. These are good things. But where are the advocates calling for assemblies dedicated to prayer?
Are we known as a people of prayer? Is that still a focus of ours?
It is too easy for our prayers to become rote and empty—to be done in our assemblies simply because it is time to pray, either to identify the beginning or end of our service or that it is time to partake of the Lord’s Supper. In fact, it is wonderful that we have, as a tradition, felt that prayer needed to precede all that we do. But, we must be on guard against meaningless repetition—just praying to have prayed.
Let us get back to being a people who are whole-heartedly devoted to prayer, passionately calling out to God for help, casting our cares and concerns on Him (Phil. 4:6), eagerly declaring His greatness, and mindfully thanking Him for all His blessings.
The Jews lost sight of their focus and turned the temple into something other than a house of prayer. Let us not make the same mistake today.
