MONDAY, JULY 16
Scripture: John 2:13-17, Isaiah 9:7

John 2:13-17 says, “Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.” Jesus took the time to make His own weapon and forcefully used it in a public place. Where did Jesus get the faith for such a feat? He made powerful people mad enough to ultimately kill Him. Jesus was unstoppable in the power of the Spirit. According to the gospel of John, this event is at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. This is the fruit of holiness in action. Walking boldly and fearlessly is the fruit of holiness. Jesus’ actions stunned everyone. When this event with the money changers happened, God put peace in the disciples by reminding them of a verse – Psalm 69:9, “Zeal for Your house has eaten me up.” There is a prophetic passage in Isaiah 9:7 that speaks to this issue for each of us today. Isaiah 9:7 states, “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the Throne of David and over his kingdom to order it and establish it with judgment and righteousness from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this!” God’s zeal comes on those who maintain holiness. Zeal came on Peter in Acts 5 and the power present killed Aninias and Sapphira. Zeal moved Jesus in the temple. He made His own whip. Why isn’t that preached as part of the yardstick for the love of God? If God is love, then Jesus whipped in love. Whipping the money changers may have saved their lives. Everything that Jesus did was love. If zeal moved Jesus in this action, how will His zeal move us? Will zeal move us to declare political ‘Ananias’ and ‘Sapphiras’ or to save a president? Will zeal move us to pray judgment on Supreme Court judges to reverse Roe versus Wade to save innocent children? In whatever expression zeal may come, the preparation is walking in holiness!