Cleaning House

"Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you are making it a den of robbers"

(Matthew 21:12-13)

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"
(1 Corinthians 3:16)

Just before his crucifixion, Jesus visited the Temple in Jerusalem and found that it was not being cared for appropriately. In those days, people had to bring animals to the Temple as sacrifices for their sins. Merchants set up booths near the Temple and sold animals as a convenience to people, especially those individuals who were traveling a considerable distance. However, while these booths began as a good service to people, they became a money-scheming business. The merchants took advantage of people who bought the animals by charging them more than the animals were worth. Jesus called the merchants "robbers," and he "cleaned house" by turning over the tables!

In 1 Corinthians, we are reminded that our bodies are God's temples. Encourage the children to examine their own lives to see if they need to "clean house" as a way to honor God. Are they engaging in activities that are not pleasing to God? Are they praying and reading the Bible regularly? Are they obedient to their parents? Are they eating healthy food and exercising properly? Are they treating others with kindness and respect?

We honor God and express our love for God when we live our lives in ways that are pleasing to God. We need to clean the clutter out of our hearts so that we can be fitting temples for God's Spirit. Encourage the children to choose one area of their life that they would like to "clean." Share with the children something in your life that needs "cleaning." Then invite the children to share their decisions with you. Covenant to pray for one another during the Easter season.

Prayer

Dear God, help us to live our lives in ways that honor you. We ask for your help in "cleaning" our lives. Thank you for your great love and for never giving up on us! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions

• Where might Jesus begin "turning over the tables" if he were to visit our church or examine our personal lives?
• How can we help others deal with personal problems that keep them from being all that God wants them to be?
• When we take care of ourselves — physically, emotionally, mentally, relationally, and spiritually — how are we demonstrating good stewardship?

Janet Zimmerman is an ordained United Methodist deacon, who serves as Christian Education Director at Church of the Lakes in Canton, Ohio.

Originally posted in 2005.