“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
LUKE 19:46
In this passage, Jesus expresses His disapproval of the misuse of the temple in Jerusalem. Instead of being a sacred place for worship and prayer, it had become a hub of commercial activity and exploitation.
The context behind this quote is essential. Jesus had entered the temple and witnessed money changers and merchants conducting business within its walls. His righteous anger led him to overturn tables and drive out those who were profiting from the sacred space. By quoting this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of maintaining the sanctity of places of worship.
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words. (Luke 19:45-48)
The message remains relevant today, reminding us to honor the spiritual significance of our sacred spaces and to avoid turning them into centers of greed or corruption. Beyond physical structures, the Lord’s House represents a place of prayer, worship, and communion with God. It is where believers seek solace, guidance, and connection to the divine. Psalm 84:1 beautifully expresses this longing: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!”
In the Bible, the term “House of God” refers to sacred places of worship. Here are some notable references:
Genesis 28:16-17: After Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching heaven, he declared, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” He recognized that the location was none other than the house of God and the gate of heaven.
God instructed the construction of a sanctuary (the tabernacle) where His presence would dwell among the people. (Exodus 25:8-9)
David desired to build a permanent house for God, but God reminded him that He had been moving with the Israelites in a tent (tabernacle) since their exodus from Egypt. (2 Samuel 7:5-7)
Solomon eventually built the temple in Jerusalem, which became the central house of God. (Acts 7:45-47)
The phrase “dwelling in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6) symbolizes being in God’s presence eternally.
"The house of the LORD shall be established, and shall be raised; and all shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come to the house God; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths." (Isaiah 2 : 2-3)
In a broader sense, the Lord’s House can extend beyond physical buildings. It encompasses the heart of every believer, where God’s Spirit resides.Our lives become His dwelling place, and our actions reflect His presence. At The Lord’s House, we preach the Word of God, believing it is inspired by our Heavenly Father.
The sanctuary, once defiled, shall now be restored—a beacon of hope, a refuge for weary souls. Let us tread these consecrated steps, for in our ascent, we draw closer to the Divine. Let us ascend to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it. In this sacred endeavor, we shall cleanse the temple, removing any impurities that have tarnished its holiness. With hearts aflame, we shall consecrate it anew, dedicating it to the worship of the Divine.
Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been crushed, let us go up to purify the sanctuary and rededicate it.” So the whole army assembled, and went up to Mount Zion. Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, that is, the month of Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-eight, they arose and offered sacrifice according to the law on the new altar of burnt offerings that they had made. On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it, on that very day it was reconsecrated with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals. All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven, who had given them success. For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered burnt offerings and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields; they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers and furnished them with doors. There was great joy among the people now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed. Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev. (1 Maccabees 2:15-29)
The altar awaits our offerings—the sacrifices of contrition, gratitude, and surrender. The ark of the covenant beckons us, reminding us of God’s covenantal love. And the veil, once torn, grants us access to the innermost chambers where His glory dwells. As we climb the steps, let our prayers rise like incense, filling the hallowed halls. May our intentions be pure, our actions righteous, and our devotion unwavering. Let the echoes of our voices resonate with the angels, harmonizing with the celestial choir.
Together, we shall kindle the lamps, symbolizing the illumination of truth. We shall anoint the sacred vessels, infusing them with sanctity. And as we rededicate this holy place, may it radiate with the presence of the Almighty. Let us go up, for the Lord awaits us. His grace descends like a gentle rain, washing away our transgressions. His mercy renews us, and His Spirit rekindles the flame of devotion within our hearts.
“Blessed may you be, O Lord, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity.” “Yours, O Lord, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory. For all in heaven and on earth is yours.” “Yours, O Lord, is the sovereignty; you are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor are from you.” “You have dominion over all. In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.” (1 Chronicles 29:10, 11, 11-12, 12)
Acknowledge the sovereignty of the Divine—the One whose majesty transcends the cosmos, whose splendor illuminates the celestial realms, and whose glory resounds throughout creation. Grandeur unfurls like the vast expanse of the universe, stretching beyond our comprehension. It is the cosmic symphony—the harmonious dance of galaxies, the pulsing of quasars, and the delicate balance of celestial forces.
Power courses through the veins of existence—the primal energy that birthed stars, sculpted mountains, and set planets in motion. It is the force that sustains life, propels tides, and orchestrates the seasons. Majesty adorns the heavens—the jeweled tapestry of constellations, the auroras painting the polar skies, and the silent reverence of moonlit nights. It is the throne of the Eternal, where angels bow in awe.
Splendor radiates from every atom—the iridescence of a butterfly’s wing, the shimmering dew on morning petals, and the luminescence of souls touched by grace. It is the divine artistry woven into existence. And glory—oh, the ineffable glory! It is the hymn sung by the wind through ancient forests, the crescendo of crashing waves, and the whispered prayers of saints. It is the echo of eternity in finite moments.
So, let us lift our voices, whether in cathedral or wilderness, and join the cosmic chorus. For all that exists—every quasar, every dewdrop, every beating heart—belongs to the One who breathed life into stardust.
Pericope:
VI: The Teaching Ministry in Jerusalem
THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE
Luke 19:45-48
II: The Maccabean Revolt
PAGAN WORSHIP REFUSED
1 Maccabees 2:15-29
II: The History of David
DAVID'S PRAYER
1 Chronicles 29:10-22
Reflection Source:
Microsoft Bing
Father in heaven, Your word is the purpose of my life in the world!
By your will, you made me an instrument to build your house and I claim your promise of building mine today. You have set my feet to another place with the same purpose of expanding the facilities of Your house where more people can gather and praise you. It is not by my will for I am unworthy of such noble task but as always, You are the source of all that will happen and all I have to do is obey.
In gratitude and with deepest love for you I pray in Jesus Name. Amen.
Published:
November 28, 2011, 7:15 AM
