Matt shares about his ministry journey, why Tim Keller’s legacy is still so valuable for the church today, and what he discovered while sifting through Keller’s sermons, books, and endnotes. They discuss Keller’s approach to contextualization, evangelism, friendship, and what it means to taste and see that the Lord is good.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of Keller’s work or just curious about his influence, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for how the gospel changes everything.
Show Notes:
Matt’s background in missions and church planting
Responding to recent critiques of Keller’s ministry
How Keller’s focus on gospel clarity shaped his preaching
What surprised Matt most in Keller’s work
Lessons for pastors, leaders, and everyday believers
In this episode host Nick Cady talks with Matt Smethurst about his new book Tim Keller on the Christian Life. Matt shares about his ministry journey, why Tim Keller’s legacy is still so valuable for the church today, and what he discovered while sifting through Keller’s sermons, books, and endnotes. They discuss Keller’s approach to contextualization, evangelism, friendship, and what it means to taste and see that the Lord is good. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Keller’s work or just curious about his influence, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for how the gospel changes everything.Show Notes:Matt’s background in missions and church plantingResponding to recent critiques of Keller’s ministryHow Keller’s focus on gospel clarity shaped his preachingWhat surprised Matt most in Keller’s workLessons for pastors, leaders, and everyday believers📚 Check out Matt’s books:Tim Keller on the Christian LifeBefore You Open Your BibleBefore You Share Your FaithDeacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the ChurchVisit theologyforthepeople.com for articles and more content.
I have recently started posting more on the Theology for the People YouTube channel. You can watch this interview on video here:
Drawing inspiration from Neil Postman’s classic Amusing Ourselves to Death, this conversation explores how modern technology is shaping our souls, eroding our attention, and forming a plausibility structure that makes it harder to believe in transcendent truth.
Brett and I discuss:
How social media is forming us spiritually
The dangers of disembodied discipleship
Why embodied church gatherings still matter
How the internet fosters epistemological chaos
Practical ways churches and families can reclaim real life in the digital age
I hope this episode will challenge and encourage you to think more deeply about how you engage with technology.
Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Discipleship in the Digital Age – with Brett McCracken –
Theology for the People
What does it mean to follow Jesus in an age of constant distraction and digital overload?In this episode of Theology for the People, Nick Cady is joined by Brett McCracken — senior editor at The Gospel Coalition and editor of the new book Scrolling Ourselves to Death. Drawing inspiration from Neil Postman’s classic Amusing Ourselves to Death, this conversation explores how modern technology is shaping our souls, eroding our attention, and forming a plausibility structure that makes it harder to believe in transcendent truth.They discuss:How social media is forming us spirituallyThe dangers of disembodied discipleshipWhy embodied church gatherings still matterHow the internet fosters epistemological chaosPractical ways churches and families can reclaim real life in the digital ageWhether you’re a pastor, parent, or just a thoughtful Christian navigating life with a smartphone, this episode will challenge and encourage you to think more deeply about how you engage with technology.📘 Get the book Scrolling Ourselves to DeathVisit TheologyForThePeople.com
I have recently started posting more on the Theology for the People YouTube channel. You can watch this interview on video here:
In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I am joined by pastor and author Ray Ortlund Jr. to talk about how God’s grace meets us in our lowest moments.
Ray is the president of Renewal Ministries, and the pastor to pastors at Immanuel Church in Nashville. He is an Old Testament scholar, has taught as a professor, and was a contributor to the ESV Study Bible.
Expositing Isaiah 57:15 and drawing from his own personal experiences of betrayal, regret, loneliness, and loss, Ray explains how the gospel offers real hope for crushed and broken people.
Topics include: • How to heal from betrayal • What to do when you’re trapped by your own sin • Why loneliness is a spiritual crisis • How the doctrine of justification by faith brings healing • What it means to die well — and live in light of resurrection
This conversation is filled with biblical encouragement for anyone struggling or walking alongside those who are.
In this episode, Nick Cady is joined by pastor and author Ray Ortlund Jr. to talk about how God's grace meets us in our lowest moments.Ray is the president of Renewal Ministries, and the pastor to pastors at Immanuel Church in Nashville. He is an Old Testament scholar, has taught as a professor, and was a contributor to the ESV Study Bible.Drawing from Isaiah 57:15 and Ray’s personal experiences of betrayal, regret, loneliness, and loss, they explore how the gospel offers real hope for crushed and broken people.Topics include:How to heal from betrayalWhat to do when you’re trapped by your own sinWhy loneliness is a spiritual crisisHow the doctrine of justification by faith brings healingWhat it means to die well — and live in light of resurrectionThis conversation is filled with biblical encouragement for anyone struggling or walking alongside those who are.Find Ray's book here: Good News at Rock Bottom: Finding God When the Pain Goes Deep and Hope Seems LostCheck out the Theology for the People website at theologyforthepeople.com
I have also started posting more on the Theology for the People YouTube channel. You can watch this interview on video here:
In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Sébastien Frappier his incredible journey from a professional acting career to planting a church in the highly secular city of Montreal, Quebec.
Sebastian shares how a moment of spiritual emptiness led him to encounter Jesus through a Gideon Bible on Guadalupe Mountain in Texas. He reflects on his 12-year journey of preparation, the unique challenges of ministry in a post-Christian culture, and how his acting background informs his preaching and evangelism.
The conversation also covers the unique cultural and spiritual aspects of Quebec, effective evangelism strategies in Montreal, and the importance of discipleship in a context where biblical knowledge is minimal.
Sebastian offers practical advice for church planters in secular urban settings and shares how listeners can support Calvary Montreal’s mission.
Key Topics:
• Sebastian’s Journey to Faith: From a successful acting career in Montreal to a transformative encounter with Jesus while reading the Sermon on the Mount in Texas.
• Ministry in Montreal: The challenges of pastoring in a highly secular, post-Christian city with less than 0.3% evangelical Christians.
• Acting and Preaching: How Sebastian’s training in method acting and the Meisner technique shapes his passionate, authentic approach to teaching the Bible.
• Cultural Context of Quebec: The impact of the Quiet Revolution, the decline of Catholicism, and the rise of humanism in Quebec’s spiritual landscape.
• Evangelism Strategies: The effectiveness of street and subway evangelism in Montreal, emphasizing authenticity and genuine relationships over large-scale events.
• Discipleship in a Secular Context: Focusing on basic biblical teachings and one-on-one discipleship due to limited biblical literacy among new believers.
• Challenges and Encouragement: Sebastian’s experience with a recent church split, the financial struggles of ministry in Quebec, and the joy of seeing individual souls saved.
• Call to Action: How listeners can pray for, support, or participate in short-term mission trips to support Calvary Montreal.
• Calvary Montreal Website:calvarymontreal.com – Find information on the church, how to get involved, and support their mission.
Ministry in French Canada: Church Planting in Montreal, Quebec – with Sebastien Frappier –
Theology for the People
In this episode, Nick Cady in joined by Sebastian Frappier, to discuss his incredible journey from a professional acting career to planting a church in the highly secular city of Montreal, Quebec. Sebastian shares how a moment of spiritual emptiness led him to encounter Jesus through a Gideon Bible on Guadalupe Mountain in Texas. He reflects on his 12-year journey of preparation, the unique challenges of ministry in a post-Christian culture, and how his acting background informs his preaching and evangelism. The conversation also covers the unique cultural and spiritual aspects of Quebec, effective evangelism strategies in Montreal, and the importance of discipleship in a context where biblical knowledge is minimal. Sebastian offers practical advice for church planters in secular urban settings and shares how listeners can support Calvary Montreal’s mission.Sebastian’s Journey to Faith: From a successful acting career in Montreal to a transformative encounter with Jesus while reading the Sermon on the Mount in Texas.Ministry in Montreal: The challenges of pastoring in a highly secular, post-Christian city with less than 0.3% evangelical Christians.Acting and Preaching: How Sebastian’s training in method acting and the Meisner technique shapes his passionate, authentic approach to teaching the Bible.Cultural Context of Quebec: The impact of the Quiet Revolution, the decline of Catholicism, and the rise of humanism in Quebec’s spiritual landscape.Evangelism Strategies: The effectiveness of street and subway evangelism in Montreal, emphasizing authenticity and genuine relationships over large-scale events.Discipleship in a Secular Context: Focusing on basic biblical teachings and one-on-one discipleship due to limited biblical literacy among new believers.Challenges and Encouragement: Sebastian’s experience with a recent church split, the financial struggles of ministry in Quebec, and the joy of seeing individual souls saved.Call to Action: How listeners can pray for, support, or participate in short-term mission trips to support Calvary Montreal.Calvary Montreal Website: calvarymontreal.com – Find information on the church, how to get involved, and support their mission.Subscribe to Theology for the People for more inspiring conversations about faith and ministry.Share this episode with friends or your church community to raise awareness about the mission in Montreal.Visit the Theology for the People website at theologyforthepeople.com
In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Shane Angland about the question of how we got the Bible in its current form.
Shane has been a recurring guest on the podcast, and he has a keen mind and knowledge of historical theology. Shane lives in Ennis, Ireland where he serves at Ennis Evangelical Church. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Dallas Theological Seminary, and has served as a missionary in Ukraine.
From the formation of the Old and New Testaments to the question of the Apocrypha, to the impact of the Council of Trent, this conversation offers clarity on why the Bible is trusted as God’s inspired Word.
Key Topics Discussed
What is the Canon?
Definition: The canon is the list of inspired, authoritative Scriptures distinguished from other valuable writings.
Theological foundation: Scripture is “breathed forth” by God, carrying unique authority for the church (2 Timothy 3:16).
Old Testament Canon Formation
Begins with God’s redemptive acts, particularly after the Exodus and Sinai covenant (Exodus 24, Deuteronomy 31).
Jewish recognition of inspired texts from Moses to Malachi, with a prophetic silence post-Persian era.
Josephus and first-century Jewish consensus on 22 books (equivalent to the 39 books in modern Old Testaments).
No explicit criteria articulated, but guided by the Holy Spirit and covenantal context.
The Apocrypha and Deuterocanonical Books
Includes books like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, 1 & 2 Maccabees, Baruch, and additions to Esther and Daniel.
Historical debate: Some early Christians (e.g., Augustine) accepted these books, while others (e.g., Jerome) did not, aligning with Jewish tradition.
Council of Trent (1546): Roman Catholic Church dogmatically defined these books as canonical, partly in response to Reformation emphasis on scriptural authority (e.g., for doctrines like purgatory).
Eastern Orthodox churches maintain an open canon, avoiding infallible rulings.
New Testament Canon Formation
Tied to the new covenant and apostolic authority, with writings by or connected to apostles (e.g., Mark linked to Peter, Luke to Paul).
Criteria: Apostolic origin, Christ-centered message, and widespread church use in worship.
Early recognition: By the late first century, apostolic writings were distinguished (e.g., Clement’s letters vs. Paul’s epistles).
By the second century, 22–23 of the 27 books were widely accepted, with minor debates on smaller texts (e.g., 2 Peter, 3 John).
Misconceptions Addressed
Myth: The Council of Nicaea (325 CE) decided the canon. Reality: Nicaea focused on church governance, not canon selection.
Myth: Early Christians chose from hundreds of gospels. Reality: The four canonical gospels were the earliest, apostolic, and widely used.
Gnostic “gospels” (e.g., Gospel of Judas) lack historical or apostolic credibility and were not serious contenders.
Why the Delay in Formal Canon Lists of the New Testament?
The early church was decentralized, persecuted, and lacked centralized authority to compile lists.
Canonical texts were illegal, and possession could lead to martyrdom (e.g., 180 CE Carthage trial).
Earliest clear list: Athanasius’ Easter Letter (367 CE), reflecting existing church consensus.
Confidence in Scripture
The Bible’s unity across 66 books, three languages, and 1,500 years testifies to its divine inspiration.
The early church’s careful discernment reflects wisdom, not uncertainty.
Romans 3:2 affirms the Jewish role in preserving the Old Testament oracles, reinforcing trust in the canon’s reliability.
Resources Mentioned
Michael Kruger’s work on the canon (e.g., Canon Revisited).
Josephus’ Against Apion for first-century Jewish canon insights.
Augustine’s On Christian Doctrine.
Quotable Moments
“The canon begins with God’s work of redemption, not human decisions.” – Shane
“The church doesn’t establish the canon; it recognizes it through the Holy Spirit.” – Shane
“The Bible’s coherent message across 1,500 years is a miracle of God’s inspiration.” – Shane
How Did We Get the Bible? Exploring the Formation of the Biblical Canon – with Shane Angland Th.M –
Theology for the People
In this episode, Nick Cady and Shane Angland tackle the critical question: How did the Bible come to be? They explore the formation of the biblical canon, addressing misconceptions, historical processes, and the theological significance of Scripture. From the Old Testament’s roots in God’s redemptive work to the New Testament’s apostolic authority, this conversation offers clarity on why the Bible is trusted as God’s inspired Word. They also discuss the Apocrypha, the Council of Trent’s impact, and how early Jewish and Christian communities recognized canonical texts.Connect with Theology for the PeopleWebsite: theologyforthepeople.comFollow on X: @nickcady
In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Dr. Alan Stoddard, who interviews me about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Does it happen simultaneously with salvation, or is it a subsequent experience? How should our understanding of the baptism with the Holy Spirit shape our practice in the church?
Alan is a pastor and church planter with over 25 years of ministry experience. Alan holds a Master’s Degree from Southwestern Seminary, and a Doctorate in preaching from Gordon Conwell. Both Nick and Alan serve as Adjunct Professors at Calvary Chapel Bible College. Alan also teaches at Rockbridge Seminary. Nick and Alan also serve on the Leadership Team of Expositors Collective. This year, on Easter Sunday, Alan launched a new church plant called Imagine Church in Cressen, Texas.
In this episode, Nick and Alan discuss the prepositional approach to understanding the Spirit’s work, and how it helps to address some common questions and even some misconceptions about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Does it happen simultaneously with salvation, or is it a subsequent experience? How should our understanding of the baptism with the Holy Spirit shape our practice in the church? In this episode, Pastor Nick Cady is interviewed by Dr. Alan Stoddard about this topic.Alan is a pastor and church planter with over 25 years of ministry experience. Alan holds a Master’s Degree from Southwestern Seminary, and a Doctorate in preaching from Gordon Conwell. Both Nick and Alan serve as Adjunct Professors at Calvary Chapel Bible College. Alan also teaches at Rockbridge Seminary. Nick and Alan also serve on the Leadership Team of Expositors Collective. This year, on Easter Sunday, Alan launched a new church plant called Imagine Church in Cressen, Texas.In this episode, Nick and Alan discuss the prepositional approach to understanding the Spirit’s work, and how it helps to address some common questions and even some misconceptions about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.Resources to check out: Perspectives on Spirit Baptism – book, recommended by AlanArticle by Nick: "Is the “Baptism in the Spirit” the Same as Being “Filled” With the Holy Spirit? Yes and No. Here’s Why"Subscribe to Theology for the People for more episodes.Visit the Theology for the People website and blog
In this episode, Daniel shares how his accidental dive into Hebrews sparked a decade-long passion, revealing how the Psalms prophetically point to Jesus. We talk about the question of who wrote Hebrews, and why it matters — and we talk about how reading the Psalms through the lens of Hebrews can deepen our worship and appreciation of Jesus.
Notable Quotes: • Daniel on Hebrews’ Use of Psalms: “When the author to the Hebrews wanted to make an argument about Jesus, one of the most common places that he goes is to the Psalms.” • On Christological Reading: “It’s not reading something into it, it’s reading what’s there and reasoning from it.” • On Hebrews’ Argument: “It’s not comparing bad to good… it’s good to better.” • For Believers: “If these Psalms aren’t first about us, but about a thing that Jesus has done for us… we can worship Him in finding them.”
Daniel Stevens is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Boyce College and author of Songs of the Son: Reading the Psalms with the Author of Hebrews. In this episode, Daniel shares how his accidental dive into Hebrews sparked a decade-long passion, revealing how the Psalms prophetically point to Jesus. We talk about the question of who wrote Hebrews, and why it matters — and we talk about how reading the Psalms through the lens of Hebrews can deepen our worship and appreciation of Jesus.Notable QuotesDaniel on Hebrews’ Use of Psalms: “When the author to the Hebrews wanted to make an argument about Jesus, one of the most common places that he goes is to the Psalms.”On Christological Reading: “It’s not reading something into it, it’s reading what’s there and reasoning from it.”On Hebrews’ Argument: “It’s not comparing bad to good… it’s good to better.”For Believers: “If these Psalms aren’t first about us, but about a thing that Jesus has done for us… we can worship Him in finding them.”More Resources: Follow Daniel on XConnect with Us:Subscribe to Theology for the People for more episodes.Visit the Theology for the People website and blog
In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Zhenya Chekushkin: a pastor from Western Ukraine and a longtime friend. Zhenya shares about his experience of growing up in a communist military family in the Soviet Union, coming to faith at age 13, and now leading a church through the ongoing war in Ukraine.
From the fall of the Soviet Union to the rise of evangelicalism and the current conflict, Zhenya offers a firsthand perspective on how God is moving amid chaos—and how listeners can join in.
How You Can be Involved and Support: ◦ Financially: Donate to the Ukraine Relief Fund at whitefieldschurch.com under the giving tab. ◦ In Person: Short-term mission trips (conferences, camps, building projects) or longer-term ministry—contact Jenia via White Fields or social media. ◦ Church Planting: Opportunities available with Calvary Chapel Ukraine’s support. See: cultivatechurchplanting.com • Stay Updated: Email calvarychapelukraine@gmail.com to join Zhenya’s newsletter list (every 2-3 months).
Film Mention: The Book of Eli – A post-apocalyptic tale of a man preserving the Bible, reflecting on morality without God (not sponsored, just Zhenya’s pick!)
Zhenya Chekushkin is a pastor from Western Ukraine and a longtime friend. Zhenya shares his unique story: growing up in a communist military family, coming to faith at 13, and now leading a church through the ongoing war in Ukraine. From the fall of the Soviet Union to the rise of evangelicalism and the current conflict, Zhenya offers a firsthand perspective on how God is moving amid chaos—and how listeners can join in.Support Options:Financially: Donate to the Ukraine Relief Fund at whitefieldschurch.com under the giving tab.In Person: Short-term mission trips (conferences, camps, building projects) or longer-term ministry—contact Jenia via White Fields or social media.Church Planting: Opportunities available with Calvary Chapel Ukraine’s support—reach out for details.Stay Updated: Email calvarychapelukraine@gmail.com to join Zhenya's newsletter list (every 2-3 months).Film Mention: The Book of Eli – A post-apocalyptic tale of a man preserving the Bible, reflecting on morality without God (not sponsored, just Zhenya's pick!).Connect with Us:Subscribe to Theology for the People podcastVisit the Theology for the People website at theologyforthepeople.com
In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I sit down with returning guest Shane to explore the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), the fourth ecumenical council of the early church.
Recorded live in Colorado during an Expositors Collective training weekend, this conversation traces the events leading up to Chalcedon, its theological breakthroughs, and its messy aftermath.
From the fallout of the Council of Ephesus, to the clash between the Alexandrian and Antiochian schools of Christology, and the mess of Ephesus II, Shane breaks down the stakes: how do we understand the two natures of Christ—human and divine—in one person?
The episode also tackles the political power plays, the deposition of bishops, and the schisms that followed, including the rise of the Oriental Orthodox churches. Plus, hear why Shane sees Chalcedon as both a triumph and a tragedy—and what it still teaches us today.
Resources Mentioned:
The Definition of Chalcedon (available online for further reading).
In this episode, Nick sits down in person with returning guest Shane to explore the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), the fourth ecumenical council of the early church. Recorded live in Colorado during an Expositors Collective training weekend, this conversation traces the events leading up to Chalcedon, its theological breakthroughs, and its messy aftermath. From the fallout of the Council of Ephesus to the clash between the Alexandrian and Antiochian schools of Christology, Shane breaks down the stakes: how do we understand the two natures of Christ—human and divine—in one person? The episode also tackles the political power plays, the deposition of bishops, and the schisms that followed, including the rise of the Oriental Orthodox churches. Plus, hear why Shane sees Chalcedon as both a triumph and a tragedy—and what it still teaches us today.Resources Mentioned:The Definition of Chalcedon (available online for further reading).Bruce Shelley’s Church History in Plain Language (Fifth Edition).Augustine’s The Unity of the Church on the role and limits of councils.Visit TheologyforthePeople.com
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowds erupted in praise. They laid their cloaks on the road, waved palm branches, and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9).
And yet, Luke’s Gospel tells us that while the crowds cheered, Jesus wept (Luke 19:41). He knew that the fanfare was not going to last, and that many of the people were going to reject the salvation He had come to bring.
The people of Jerusalem wanted a Messiah who could free them from Roman rule. Jesus had come to do something much bigger, and even better, than the best thing they could imagine in that moment. He had come to bring salvation for their souls and establish an everlasting kingdom.
One of the most important lessons we can learn from the events of Palm Sunday is what it means to truly worship Jesus.
1. True Worship Involves Honoring Jesus as King
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey was a deliberate declaration: By fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, Jesus was announcing that He was the long-awaited “Son of David,” the one who would restore the throne of David, which God had promised would be an everlasting house.
And yet, Jesus was also declaring that He was a different kind of king than what many people might have anticipated. Conquering kings ride warhorses. Jesus rode on the foal of a donkey—not even a full-grown donkey! He was coming not to make war against the Romans but to sacrifice His life.
As the people shouted “Hosanna” (“Save now!”), they acknowledged Jesus as their king, even if many of them underestimated the breadth of the nature of the salvation He had come to bring. And yet, they were right to acknowledge Him as their king! The essence of worship is surrender to Jesus as your king: to give Him the place of ultimate authority over every area of your life. True worship means surrendering our plans and expectations into His hands and entrusting ourselves wholly over to Him.
This Palm Sunday, it is worth asking yourself the following: Have I made Jesus my king?
My pastor, Tom Stipe, used to say, “I just want to be a penny in God’s pocket that He can spend wherever and however it pleases Him best.” The essence of worship is surrender, and like Isaiah, who saw a glimpse of God’s glory, when we really understand who God is—both His majesty and His grace—it causes us to respond to His call and surrender our lives to His will. To make Jesus your king means letting Him sit on the throne over you, and following His lead in every area of life.
2. True Worship Involves Receiving His Salvation
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the city was stirred (Matthew 21:10). The Greek word used here is seismos—the same word used for earthquakes. His arrival shook the city.
But rather than leading the crowds up to the Roman garrison at the Atonia Fortress to overthrow the Romans, Jesus led them up onto the Temple Mount, where He overturned the tables of the money changers and spoke out against the corruption of Israel’s religious elites.
The salvation that Jesus came to bring was not the salvation they had been hoping for. Truly, it was something better, but many of them were not able to see that yet. Similarly, there are times in our lives when God does not do what we expect or perhaps hoped He would. True worship in these cases involves walking with God by faith: trusting in His character, His promises, and His Word, and embracing His plan for your life, knowing that He knows what you truly need, and that He who did not spare even His own Son, but gave Him up for you, will surely work all things together for your good, since you are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28, 32).
3. True Worship Involves Yielding to His Purifying Work
When Jesus arrived at the Temple, He did something that surprised those who were gathered there: He overturned tables, drove out the money changers, and said, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers” (Mark 11:17).
The religious leaders had turned the “courtyard of the Gentiles” into a marketplace. Here, Jesus is quoting two Old Testament passages. The first, Isaiah 56:7, describes the coming of the Gentiles to worship the Lord in the Temple. The second, Jeremiah 7:11, describes how people in Jeremiah’s time wrongly assumed that they could escape God’s judgment for their sins by hiding out in the Temple. Rather than reaching out to the world with God’s love and truth, the religious leaders of that time had turned the space meant for welcoming outsiders to come near to God into a place that lined their own pockets with revenue from the fees paid by merchants who sold goods. By cleansing the Temple, Jesus was asserting that He is the Lord over the Temple, and He was reclaiming it for its true purpose.
In the New Testament, we are told that we are now God’s temple, both corporately, as the church, and individually as believers in whom God’s Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Peter 2:5). Just as Jesus cleansed the Temple back then, Jesus desires to cleanse and purify us as well, and claim us for the purpose He intends and desires for our lives and our churches to have.
Are there things in your life that Jesus desires to overturn and drive out—things that are not helpful, and need to go? Perhaps there are sinful attitudes or unhelpful practices that He wants to cleanse out of your life. Like the religious leaders, we can resist His purifying work. But when we yield to the cleansing He desires to do, we find greater joy, freedom, and increased effectiveness for His purposes in and through our lives.
How Will You Respond to Jesus this Palm Sunday?
The people of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus with praise—but when He didn’t meet their expectations, their worship faded into rejection.
How about you?
Will you honor Jesus as your King by giving Him the place of authority over your life?
Will you receive His salvation by putting your faith and trust in Him today? Will you yield to His purifying work, allowing Him to cleanse you from anything that is holding you back from living out the fullness of His purpose for you?
True worship is about surrendering every area of our lives to Jesus, trusting that His kingdom, His salvation, and His cleansing work are what we need most.
Theology for the People 