It is written, “My house shall be a house of prayer”.
Luke 19:46
If we grew up with children’s Sunday School, this is probably one of the earliest Holy Week stories we remember. It catches our imagination; Jesus overturning the moneylenders tables and driving them out. Trading was necessary in order for people to make right offerings and sacrifices, but here the Marketplace had invaded the Temple. Those traders were robbers and thieves because they charged falsely and ripped off the worshippers.
Years later, Paul wrote that our bodies are supposed to be temples of the Holy Spirit. If we are following Jesus and have committed our lives to Him as Lord, His Spirit comes to dwell within us. Wherever we are we carry His presence. We need to make sure that no trading, no deception, is working in our hearts and robbing us of our inheritance; the life, peace, and joy that Jesus has promised. “I came that they might have life abundantly.”
So many Christians who are sincere, committed believers are being robbed. We can give names to many of those thieves, such as: past hurts; low self-esteem; not understanding that Jesus has made us acceptable; self- guilt for sins which have been forgiven; a background of abuse; failing to trust in the Lord’s faithfulness and love. You might name others from experience.
Why not check your heart now? Are any robbers in residence? Are you living in the joy of the Lord? Does peace rule in your heart? Take your weapon, the Word of God, and drive those robbers out!