Jesus dicit

Word 13 of 491Direction

Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!

John 2:16

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Not a marketplace

In the temple courts in Jerusalem, Jesus uses a whip of cords to drive out the sheep and cattle meant for sacrifice. John tells this at the start of his Gospel; the other three only in the last week. Jesus speaks directly to the dove sellers. Doves were the offering of those who couldn't afford a lamb. Mary and Joseph too brought two after his birth.

Notice the word my. Not the house of God, but my Father's house. That is how a son talks when he comes home and finds a shop. Where everything revolves around money, there is no room to meet God.

Question for today

Which place in my life was meant for meeting God, but has become a market?

Prayer

Father, clear out of me whatever doesn't belong. Make my heart a house where you live once more. Amen.

One of the 491 words of Jesus on this site, from the temple to Revelation. See all the words in order →

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