Responding To God - 4 Lessons From Palm SundaySample

Make it a Season of Repentance and Cleansing The majestic temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship. It should have been the most precious place for God's people. However, as Jesus walked in and looked around (Mark 11:11), what His keen eyes observed would have broken His heart. According to Matthew 21:12 and Mark 11:15-16, the hallowed place of worship had been turned into a literal market place by unscrupulous vendors! For just a moment, close your eyes and try to imagine the feelings that were going through the heart of Jesus. He knew that He would have to clean up what He called “My house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13). If we take Mark 11:11 literally, Jesus did not cleanse the temple that day. Instead, He went to Bethany to spend the night. I can't help thinking that the Lord didn't sleep very well that night, knowing what course of action He had to take the following day. Of course, He did go into the temple the following day and cleaned it inside out! The Bible says that 'our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit' (1 Corinthians 6:19). If so, it's good to ask ourselves prayerfully today whether the 'temple of the Holy Spirit' needs cleansing in any areas? In fact, this might be a good moment to allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal anything that needs to be cleansed. So often, when I come before the Lord in prayer, He reveals areas that need His cleansing touch. Recently, he revealed feelings of arrogance and envy that needed repentance. Let’s remember that while we can use cleansing soaps and creams for our skin and we can also detoxify and cleanse our inner body systems, it's only the blood of Jesus that can cleanse our sins! Next Step : Are there areas in your life that need repentance and cleansing? Come before Him in repentance today and receive His cleansing?