Realm of the Vessels of God

Mark 11:15-17

And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

Here we see it on record that moneychangers did not belong in the temple. Perhaps some of you may already know of the principle. For those of you who do not, let us see briefly for a minute if you will what God has to say about it. Such things, indeed, are a great mystery, perhaps on the level of those that already sleep. Regardless though, the Lord would not have us ignorant of either or perhaps he would not have told us. So, it seems in all man's searching and striving and worry what would become of tomorrow, they have forgotten the most important thing of all. Today is not just about the stuff or even the things found therein. Sure, all this is nice, well, and good.

Notice though those found in the temple. How often do we as God's people, the body and servants of God, allow such in ourselves that we really ought not. Now whether these crept in or stole the text does not really say. Between the buying, selling, money changing, and traffic of the lovely inner dove creatures, our focus is hardly on such. See now the coming of the Lord into the situation as light does in a dark place. So does John 1:3 testify to the light come into the world that "was the light of men." How good God is indeed to walk with his children.

And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

More than that he has come to abide. See how he carefully cleanses the temple as seen in the text. From 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 we know that his temple of our bodies should be above all most holy. So, what if you are a temple, but are feeling destroyed. Sure, God sent not his Son into the world to condemn it but to save all through him. What then of it, if the spirit be holy but the body is not. What then too shall it profit a man to "gain the whole world" but "lose his own soul" of Mattew 16:26. My friends, such things ought not to be whispered even once among you. Yet as with those in the temple, you have noised it abroad and spread it even till the streets rang with the sound.

Small wonder then that when Christ Jesus comes, he must for his body return. So, if our bodies are as the temple then too will we be kept without spot, blemish, or wrinkle awaiting the Son. But then again is another issue spoken of that Christ Jesus must cleanse. To come for his body, he must first cleanse the temple. To do this, therein is seen the unchanging nature of God. See, it was never God's plan for his house to honor ought but himself. So too should his people be as temples, cleansed, ready and waiting for the Father's own presence. Herein is seen to what holy purpose are those called of all nations God's as own "house of prayer."

And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

See here in the text how prayer and the worship of God cleanses the temple. In the case of demonic possession, the spirits refused to let go until the house be cleansed by another and filled up again voluntarily from the inside. It is awfully hard for God to come and change a life if you are not willing my friends. Thus, by our prayer we open ourselves up to such filling at the hands of our healer and cleanser, our God. Notice too how these prayers serve as vessels of another sort, holding places for God's power. For if God inhabits the praises of his people, what then shall come of their prayers. It is fit to be offered as in Revelation upon the altar of God and from there poured out on the world.

But in the meantime, his vessel and his carrying is all that is needed. Trust him, for he is enough to provide for the lack and to lack the supply. Only God could bring about the switch my friends for that is just who he is. So, from there the prayers appear as smoke filling the temple. It seems the glory and presence of God is such that none other dare come inside. See, the presence of God in 2 Corinthians 10:5 casts down every imagination that exalts "itself against the knowledge of God." Then too it works to the willing and doing of his own good pleasure. His power suffers no one else and brooks no other argument. How some of us should rather let God fill us and carry us home, rather than trusting any to do such or even ourselves. For then too would we be choice vessels fit for the Master's own use.