JOHN 2:13-22


2:13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2:14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 2:15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 2:16 He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" 2:17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." 2:18 The Jews then said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" 2:19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 2:20 The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" 2:21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 2:22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.



March 8, 2021 - Once in a blue moon, Don and I would secure tickets to attend a Red Sox game. I loved going to the game. You get to see what happens behind the scenes when you are there, like seeing and participating in the giant wave, or singing “Sweet Caroline”. I am eagerly awaiting Fenway’s opening again. Aren’t you?


One of the activities that was tradition and interesting to watch between innings, was when the groundskeepers would come out to clean the infield. They had a team approach to it, and it was like a wonderful dance watching them make quick action of raking the whole infield. When they were done, it looked clean and new without a footprint in sight. They even had someone follow behind to be sure every nook and cranny was raked properly – like the union person who inspects the pillow before it gets sent out. 


This past Sunday, I preached on this text and shared about the need for us all to pay attention to our Temple, both the one on West Main Street and the one inside our spirits. Lent is a perfect time to clean up and make new. This Lent, may your practice of prayer, worship, and Bible Study, include some quiet time of clearing the bases in your own heart of anything that has a hold on you like sin or remorse. May our Spring Cleaning, by God’s grace, result in freedom for our souls so that we might continue our travels A-CROSS the way towards our eventual Home with God. In our faith practice aren’t we always running towards home? Towards God’s home?