07-25 God's House Is a House of Prayer

vmiwebteam
Jul 25
2 min read

Updated: Jul 28

Key Verse: “He said to them, ‘It is written: My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.’” (verse 13)

Reflection Questions:

What did Jesus do at the temple in Jerusalem?
What did He emphasize as the main purpose of the temple?
What are you reminded of when coming to worship the Lord?

After the people praised Jesus as He entered Jerusalem, the next day He went up to the temple. There, Jesus “drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves” (verse 12). This was the second time Jesus did this—the first was at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:13–17). The merchants had set up shop in the outer courts of the temple, which was the Court of the Gentiles. They sold animals for sacrifices at outrageous prices, and the money changers exchanged foreign currency for temple currency at high fees. What’s even more troubling is that this business was operating under the protection of the High Priest Annas. Jesus used the term “robbers” to condemn how they had turned a sacred place of worship into one of exploitation.

The Jews already had a disdainful attitude toward the Gentiles and didn’t care about their desire to seek and worship God when they came to the temple. Jesus said to them, “It is written: My house will be called a house of prayer,” quoting Isaiah 56:7 to emphasize that God’s house is a house of prayer for all nations. It is not just for the Jews, but for anyone from any nation who seeks God and calls on His name. Because the Jews had turned God’s house into a “den of robbers,” Jesus responded with strong action.

Today, God’s people must always remember that His house is a house of prayer. The church is where people gather to worship and commune with God. Believers should show reverence for God through their words, a listening spirit, and a heart that honors His name. The church is also a place where we invite guests to hear about the love of Jesus for all humanity. Therefore, any factor that hinders God’s people from worshiping or keeps guests from hearing God’s Word must be addressed and removed. Guests may be discouraged from attending evangelistic events by indifferent looks, unkind attitudes, or unloving words from church members. Remember that Jesus strongly condemned anything that hindered others from coming to worship and fellowship with God in His house—and the same applies today. Let us each be careful!

Are there any ways your actions may be hindering others from worshiping God?

Let us pray:

Thank You, Lord, that I have the freedom to worship You. Please help me not to say or do anything that might hinder my brothers and sisters in their worship. May I always have a heart that desires and seeks after You in worship.