January 12, 2010

Passionate! Passion is an interesting and versatile word. It is used to
describe crimes committed in the heat and intensity of emotion - crimes
of passion. It is also used to describe our affection or strong
feelings for anything from food to hobbies to strongly held personal
opinions and beliefs. We often hear people say "I'm passionate about
... !"

Passion is important. It determines our priorities and pursuits. It
influences our choices and actions. It generates inspiration and
investment. Its presence can be a great blessing and the lack of it, a
terrible curse. Pure and good passions are invaluable. They are a key
to a productive and fulfilled life. Polluted passions are dangerous and
destructive, to us and others.

For our passions to be pure, they must be properly checked and filtered
by God, His Word and His Holy Spirit. The right passions are those that
are in sync with the passions of God's heart.

Yes, God is a passionate God. There are certain things that are near
and dear to His heart - things He passionately cares about. One of the
best ways to determine God's passions is by looking at the life and
ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ.

When we look at the life of Jesus we discover a number of things that
were very important to Him. Throughout His ministry we find moments
when Jesus' intensity of feelings brought to light the passions of God's
heart.

One such occasion was the time Jesus overturned the moneychangers'
tables in the temple. His actions revealed the passion God has for His
house. Note how the gospel writer John recorded this event:

"It was time for the annual Passover celebration, and Jesus went to
Jerusalem. In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep,
and doves for sacrifices; and he saw money changers behind their
counters. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of
the Temple. He drove out the sheep and oxen, scattered the money
changers' coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then,
going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, 'Get these things
out of here. Don't turn my Father's house into a marketplace!'" - John
2:13-16 (NLT)

Also notice John's follow-up comment to this event:

"Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures:
'Passion for God's house burns within me.'" - John 2:17 (NLT)

Jesus had a passion for God's house. His passion revealed God's deep
love for His house.

What is God's house in today's world? God's house is His church. God
is passionate about building, strengthening, unifying and sanctifying
His people - the church. He cares deeply about our love for and
involvement in His church. He wants us to share His passion for His
house!

Are you passionate about connecting with and investing in building,
strengthening and unifying God's house - His church? May this become
one of the primary passions in our lives!

Pastor Dale