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Topic: The Right Zeal
[DCLM Daily Manna 23 May 2020 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: John 2:14-25
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 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.
17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Key Verse: “And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (John 2:17).
MESSAGE:
People who are known to have accomplished one task or the other for God have one unique attribute – they never allowed themselves to be negatively influenced by popular opinion.
The prompt intervention of Phinehas, when he killed the adulterous man of Israel and the Midianitish woman, stayed the plague that came upon the nation as a result of their sin. Phinehas’ unprecedented zeal won him a place in the Scriptures. Also, God entered into a covenant of peace with him (Numbers 25:1-13).
In our passage today, Jesus manifested a similar zeal by throwing out those who had converted the house of God into a den of robbers. He did not carry out the exercise to be seen and commended by men. He was angry at the level of desecration of the holy place.
After cleansing the temple, He also performed certain miracles before the Scribes and Pharisees; yet, He did not allow Himself to be carried away by the praise of the masses. Here was a Man who demonstrated authority that had never been seen. He did not allow Himself to be swayed by praise singers. Jesus knew that those who sang His praise would one day crucify Him. All that He did was to please God.
Christ’s attitude to the praise-singing members of the public is very instructive. As believers, we must endeavour to seek the praise of God in all that we do. Anything to the contrary is sinful and should be avoided. We must not allow popular opinion to discourage us from doing God’s will. We should always listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Had Phinehas or Jesus consulted with the people, they would not have pleased the Lord.
Thought For The Day: Don’t wear your faith as the fashion of your hat.
The Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 8-9
