Prepare the Way: A 21-Day Reading Plan Through John by Justeina BrownleeSample
Day 2: Zeal for God's House
Read John 2
Jesus enters the Temple Courts and finds people selling animals and exchanging money. With righteous anger, He makes a whip, drives out the animals, overturns the tables, and declares, “Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples recall Psalm 69:9: “Zeal for your house will consume me” (John 2:17 NIV).
This event reminds us of Moses in Exodus 32 when he saw the Israelites worshiping the golden calf and acted in righteous anger by smashing the stone tablets. Both Moses and Jesus defended the Holiness of God and took immediate action to remove distractions that dishonored Him.
In our own lives, we should examine whether we have allowed "golden calves"—things that take priority over worship—to distract us from honoring God. Jesus’ zeal for the Temple challenges us to reflect on our own passion for God’s Presence. Are we consumed by zeal for God’s Holiness, or have we let lesser things compete with our devotion?
Zeal for God is about prioritizing His Presence, guarding what is Holy, and serving with passion. When we create space in our lives for prayer, worship, and reverence, we align our hearts with God's. Like Jesus, our commitment to honoring God should move us to action—clearing away anything that diminishes our relationship with Him and serving Him wholeheartedly.
Reflection Questions:
- What distractions or "golden calves" need to be removed from your spiritual life?
- How can you guard the Holiness of your relationship with God?
Scripture
About this Plan
We will be diving into the Life and Ministry of Jesus through the Gospel of John. Over these next 21 days, you’ll get to see who Jesus is—through His Teachings, His Miracles, and His Call to follow Him. This journey will help you become closer to Jesus and find out how He wants to use you to prepare the way for others.
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