Luke 19:45-46 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;… 1. Abuses are apt to creep into the Church. Let us be on our guard against their first introduction. 2. The Church is much indebted, under God, to those who have had the courage to stand forward as real reformers. Hezekiah; Josiah; the English reformers. They are indeed the benefactors of the Church who successfully exert themselves to correct doctrinal and practical errors, and to promote the scriptural administration of ordinances, discipline, and government. Thus, the progress of corruption is arrested, the beauty of Christianity is restored, and the glory of God, and the religious, and even civil, interests of men are promoted. 3. It is the duty of us all, according to our several places and stations, to do what we can to reform whatever abuses may exist in the Church in our own times. 4. Let this purification of the temple lead us to seek the purification of our own hearts. 5. In all we attempt for the benefit of others, or of ourselves, let us imitate the zeal which our Master displayed on this occasion. To be useful to man, or acceptable to God, we must be deeply in earnest — we must have the Spirit of Christ in this respect. Neither fear, nor shame, nor sinful inclination should restrain us in such cases. (James Foote, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;WEB: He entered into the temple, and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, |
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