Today’s WORD (Text) John 2:13-17
13/ The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14/ In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15/ Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16/ He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17/ His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Today’s Witness
Evangelist John positioned the episode of Jesus clearing the Temple immediately after the Wedding at Cana in his record, suggesting that this event occurred early in Jesus’ ministry. That reminds me of the zeal that many of my friends and I had in our earliest years of pastoral ministry. We were so consumed by our passion for the church and its symbolism that many of us would not hesitate to take some radical action to disrupt the status quo in a local church. We did not simply believe in the sanctity of God’s house, in the efficacy of our ministry call, and in the power and authority of the Gospel, but we were also quick to name any deficiencies we witnessed without the aid of fancy words. We would question perceived dysfunction or dishonesty and would call even the elders of the local church to task for any perceived deviations from the high and immaculate standards of the scriptures according to our interpretation. Perhaps we do not lose our passion as we grow older so much as we gain some patience, graciousness, and wisdom to sustain the fellowship of kindred hearts in the community. Zeal for God’s house can indeed be all consuming, and with the passage of time we also develop zeal for God’s people.
Today’s Invitation
Can you recall a time or incident early on in your personal Christian journey when you were moved by passion and zeal to confront someone or something that seemed misaligned with your understanding of the gospel? How did you resolve that issue? Would you confront the issue the same way today now that some years have passed?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, you have modeled for us an impeccable allegiance to the integrity and sanctification of God’s house. We are moved by your conviction, passion, and courage. Grant to each of us the conviction, passion, and courage to obey your teachings and to take the right actions when we are confronted with words and actions that do not glorify your Name. Also, grant us grace, wisdom, and patience to love and forgive others in the same way we want to be loved and forgiven. Make us tolerant enough—not so much to permit wrongdoing—but to allow space for grace and mercy. Lead us not into temptation, but always deliver us from evil, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Today’s WORD (Text) John 2:13-17
13/ The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14/ In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15/ Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16/ He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17/ His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Today’s Witness
Evangelist John positioned the episode of Jesus clearing the Temple immediately after the Wedding at Cana in his record, suggesting that this event occurred early in Jesus’ ministry. That reminds me of the zeal that many of my friends and I had in our earliest years of pastoral ministry. We were so consumed by our passion for the church and its symbolism that many of us would not hesitate to take some radical action to disrupt the status quo in a local church. We did not simply believe in the sanctity of God’s house, in the efficacy of our ministry call, and in the power and authority of the Gospel, but we were also quick to name any deficiencies we witnessed without the aid of fancy words. We would question perceived dysfunction or dishonesty and would call even the elders of the local church to task for any perceived deviations from the high and immaculate standards of the scriptures according to our interpretation. Perhaps we do not lose our passion as we grow older so much as we gain some patience, graciousness, and wisdom to sustain the fellowship of kindred hearts in the community. Zeal for God’s house can indeed be all consuming, and with the passage of time we also develop zeal for God’s people.
Today’s Invitation
Can you recall a time or incident early on in your personal Christian journey when you were moved by passion and zeal to confront someone or something that seemed misaligned with your understanding of the gospel? How did you resolve that issue? Would you confront the issue the same way today now that some years have passed?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, you have modeled for us an impeccable allegiance to the integrity and sanctification of God’s house. We are moved by your conviction, passion, and courage. Grant to each of us the conviction, passion, and courage to obey your teachings and to take the right actions when we are confronted with words and actions that do not glorify your Name. Also, grant us grace, wisdom, and patience to love and forgive others in the same way we want to be loved and forgiven. Make us tolerant enough—not so much to permit wrongdoing—but to allow space for grace and mercy. Lead us not into temptation, but always deliver us from evil, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Evi Odioko on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) John 2:13-17
13/ The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14/ In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15/ Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16/ He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17/ His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Today’s Witness
Evangelist John positioned the episode of Jesus clearing the Temple immediately after the Wedding at Cana in his record, suggesting that this event occurred early in Jesus’ ministry. That reminds me of the zeal that many of my friends and I had in our earliest years of pastoral ministry. We were so consumed by our passion for the church and its symbolism that many of us would not hesitate to take some radical action to disrupt the status quo in a local church. We did not simply believe in the sanctity of God’s house, in the efficacy of our ministry call, and in the power and authority of the Gospel, but we were also quick to name any deficiencies we witnessed without the aid of fancy words. We would question perceived dysfunction or dishonesty and would call even the elders of the local church to task for any perceived deviations from the high and immaculate standards of the scriptures according to our interpretation. Perhaps we do not lose our passion as we grow older so much as we gain some patience, graciousness, and wisdom to sustain the fellowship of kindred hearts in the community. Zeal for God’s house can indeed be all consuming, and with the passage of time we also develop zeal for God’s people.
Today’s Invitation
Can you recall a time or incident early on in your personal Christian journey when you were moved by passion and zeal to confront someone or something that seemed misaligned with your understanding of the gospel? How did you resolve that issue? Would you confront the issue the same way today now that some years have passed?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, you have modeled for us an impeccable allegiance to the integrity and sanctification of God’s house. We are moved by your conviction, passion, and courage. Grant to each of us the conviction, passion, and courage to obey your teachings and to take the right actions when we are confronted with words and actions that do not glorify your Name. Also, grant us grace, wisdom, and patience to love and forgive others in the same way we want to be loved and forgiven. Make us tolerant enough—not so much to permit wrongdoing—but to allow space for grace and mercy. Lead us not into temptation, but always deliver us from evil, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Today’s WORD (Text) John 2:13-17
13/ The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14/ In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15/ Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16/ He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17/ His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Today’s Witness
Evangelist John positioned the episode of Jesus clearing the Temple immediately after the Wedding at Cana in his record, suggesting that this event occurred early in Jesus’ ministry. That reminds me of the zeal that many of my friends and I had in our earliest years of pastoral ministry. We were so consumed by our passion for the church and its symbolism that many of us would not hesitate to take some radical action to disrupt the status quo in a local church. We did not simply believe in the sanctity of God’s house, in the efficacy of our ministry call, and in the power and authority of the Gospel, but we were also quick to name any deficiencies we witnessed without the aid of fancy words. We would question perceived dysfunction or dishonesty and would call even the elders of the local church to task for any perceived deviations from the high and immaculate standards of the scriptures according to our interpretation. Perhaps we do not lose our passion as we grow older so much as we gain some patience, graciousness, and wisdom to sustain the fellowship of kindred hearts in the community. Zeal for God’s house can indeed be all consuming, and with the passage of time we also develop zeal for God’s people.
Today’s Invitation
Can you recall a time or incident early on in your personal Christian journey when you were moved by passion and zeal to confront someone or something that seemed misaligned with your understanding of the gospel? How did you resolve that issue? Would you confront the issue the same way today now that some years have passed?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, you have modeled for us an impeccable allegiance to the integrity and sanctification of God’s house. We are moved by your conviction, passion, and courage. Grant to each of us the conviction, passion, and courage to obey your teachings and to take the right actions when we are confronted with words and actions that do not glorify your Name. Also, grant us grace, wisdom, and patience to love and forgive others in the same way we want to be loved and forgiven. Make us tolerant enough—not so much to permit wrongdoing—but to allow space for grace and mercy. Lead us not into temptation, but always deliver us from evil, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Evi Odioko on Unsplash