3 Lessons from Jesus Cleansing the Temple

1) What do we need to cleanse or remove from our lives so that we can be ready to heal and help others?

I had never noticed that the first thing Jesus did after cleansing the temple was to welcome the afflicted there so He could heal them.

I suspect this was the entire reason Jesus went to the temple that day, to bless and heal the sick and afflicted.

But before He could use the temple for that purpose, He felt it needed to be cleansed and sanctified.

Likewise for us, what things in our homes, hearts, and lives need to be cleansed and cast out so that we are prepared to bless and heal others in our families, in our communities?

2) We can find the Savior’s healing in the temple

President Russel M. Nelson taught, “Everything taught in the temple, through instruction and through the Spirit, increases our understanding of Jesus Christ. His essential ordinances bind us to Him through sacred priesthood covenants. Then, as we keep our covenants, He endows us with His healing, strengthening power.”

How have you felt Christ’s healing power through attending the temple?

3) If the blind and the lame can find and work their way to the temple to be healed by the Savior, so can we.

I find it very interesting and intentional that Matthew chose to call out the “blind” and the “lame” coming to the temple to be healed by the Savior.

What about the deaf, the dumb, the sick, the mentally ill?

I fully believe all these were also part of that group that came to Christ there.

But Matthew chose to highlight only the “blind” and the “lame”.

If there is any group of people that would find it most difficult to make their way to the temple, sure it would be these – the blind and the lame.

How difficult was it for a blind person to feel his way through the streets of Jerusalem to find Jesus in the temple?

Or the lame person, perhaps unable to walk or travel with great ease.

Of all the groups of those needing healing, surely these would have had excuse to say, “It’s too far.” – “It’s too difficult.” – “I don’t have the strength.” – “I’ll wait for the Savior to come to me.”

If the blind and the lame can make their way to the temple to be healed by Jesus – so can I.

What changes do we need to make in our lives so we can meet the Savior in the temple regularly?

– Jakob R. Jones

Image credits

“The Merchants Chased from the Temple” – James Tissot

“Oakland California Temple” – Alan Fullmer

“Christ Healing a Blind Man” – Del Parson

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