Hanging on His Words

Lk. 19:46

It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.

As Jesus entered the temple, His heart was grieved at the people who had perverted the entire purpose of the temple. It was to be a house of prayer, of connecting with God, but they had made it a den of robbers, a place of commerce. Even more than that, the commerce that was transacted was deceitful. The priests were making money at the expense of the spiritual well-being of the people and at the cost of the holiness of God. Sadly, there was nothing holy about what was happening! Even though the people needed the sacrificial animals, should the marketplace have been in the temple? Jesus said no, no to the location, no to the business, and no to the corruption! How upsetting and revealing this must have been to the priests running these businesses! Or not, was He just an irritation that they had to eliminate?

Jesus continued teaching exposing the self-righteousness and evil of the priests, scribes, and Pharisees, but as He did this their hearts became harder and harder. In fact, they sought to destroy Him, and before long their desires became a reality. But at this point, they were stymied because the people were hanging on His words. What a glorious response! As I read the Word, am I hanging on His words? Is my life suspended as His words flood in and transform me? Perhaps there are only two true responses to His words: rejection [priests, scribes, Pharisees] or hanging on His words [complete absorption]. Is there really a middle ground? I know you works: you are niether cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of mouth.

Father,
Keep me hanging on Your words. Banish my fleshly tendency to seek a middle road that seemingly satisfies both my flesh and my spirit. Teach me to be hot for You!
In Jesus name,
Amen