Zeal. John 2:13-17. He came, looked, and saw beyond the daily routines of the place to where God's holiness once moved men and women to bow in deep contrition, repentance, and offer their best. Without a sense of grace or reverence that was fitting, they counted the money in their hands, claiming they were blessed, not realizing that the actions engaging them so completely left them empty, swept, and garnished. All they had were dry husks of forms in which they professed God's name – and left Him out.
They thought they were lost in the distant memories of an ancient past, but God saw everything; He was nearer than they believed. He was present in that desecrated place of prayer, watching until the twisted cords formed a stinging whip wrapped around blue-trimmed garments. He caused the greedy, bargaining crowd to find another place, running away and leaving behind a dreadful trail in the Father’s house of dirt and feathers. The sound of stolen gains was rolling on the floor until, like children chasing jacks, the temple was purified of the terrible mockery of religious joking. “The One” was there with words that cut through hardened hearts, saying, “Take these things hence…” and zeal takes over.
He comes and observes today, perceiving what we do not see: the hearts and motives of people entering into worship. Beyond the form and the sound of music, which is pleasing to the ears, He watches and listens for sounds known only to Him. Sounds of hearts—some moved by “Amazing Grace” to close their eyes and listen to the tone of the words they sing, with souls that have been redeemed. “Was it for crimes that I have done…” sung with broken voices, as heads are bowed or eyes are fixed on some distant point, while God's grace flows deeply into the spirit again. Such grace elicits gratitude from warm hearts to God alone, who hears unspoken, perhaps even inexpressible words—but they are real.
Others listen and watch, carefully forming the words so that what is heard aligns perfectly with everyone else but not with God, who remains among them unseen. The soaring sounds of “A Mighty Fortress…” and the accompaniment far surpass the words, causing people to shiver at the tones. The words are forgotten amid the overwhelming noise that drowns out only the heart sounds that God can hear.
But He does hear and waits to cleanse, recover, and receive that appreciation from the hearts of those who praise – “Hallelujah, what a Savior…” and zeal takes over.