SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 29
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
So the Temple of the Lord was restored to service. And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because of what God had done for the people, for everything had been accomplished so quickly. [2 Chronicles 29:35-36]
I am reflecting on the words “restored to service”.
In this chapter Hezekiah enacts a national repentance, a turning away from immoral pagan religion and back to God.
Though once again we are struck by the amount of blood through sacrifice, we recognize that this was an expression of deep humility and devotion.
The temple is cleaned out: all of the statues of Baal or other gods/goddesses, altars built to honour them, and any other cultic symbols or rituals – as well as the people using them.
Like an alcoholic that finally decides to quit and to change the direction of their life – getting rid of all the hidden bottles in the house – we have a thorough house-cleaning, a dealing with the sin that was destroying them.
No wonder it was a day of great rejoicing; it was a new beginning, a new day!
Not only was the temple restored to service, the whole nation was restored to service as well.

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. [John 21:15-17]This Jesus’ story also talks about being restored to service.
Bold, loud, self-confident Peter has been humbled; though he boasted that he would never fall away or deny Jesus, when the pressure hit at Jesus’ arrest, Peter denies Jesus 3 times, and even invokes a curse upon himself if he is lying.
The temple of his heart is full of self, the idols of ego, and it is ruining him.
His heart needs to be cleaned out, the sin needs to be exposed, rooted out; Peter needs to repent.
In this story, Peter sees Jesus and rushes towards him, even though he knows how shameful his denial was.
And Jesus does not turn him away, though neither does He ignore Peter’s problem.
Peter needs a house-cleaning before he can be restored to service.
Jesus’ questions in this passage address his arrogance – do you truly love me more than the others?
Interesting, Jesus asks Peter if he “LOVES” (agape, self-denying love) Him, and Peter replies that he “loves” (phileo, brotherly love) Him; the same goes for the second time Jesus asks him; but the third time Jesus asks Peter if he “loves” (phileo, not agape) Him.
In other words, Peter hesitates to be so bold this time, his pride has been humbled; and after testing Peter with his question, he accepts Peter’s humbled love.

Then Jesus says, “feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep!”
In other words, after dealing with his sin, Jesus restores Peter to service.
The lesson from this is that we cannot be effective in serving the Lord unless we deal with the sin that clutters the temple of our hearts.
As long as we allow selfishness or immorality or pride or any other sin to remain unchallenged in our hearts, we are not able to serve the Lord as we ought to.
Like Hezekiah and Peter, we need to clean our hearts (God’s temple), renewing our commitment to the His service.
Our repentance needs to be deep, from the very core of our being (symbolized by the blood sacrifice), an expression of sincere devotion.
Only then can we be restored to service; only then will we be able to feed His lambs, care for His sheep!

PRAYER:
Lord, I hear You inviting me to open my heart to You, to clean my heart for You, to offer my heart for You. Lord, I love You (phileo) and want to LOVE You (agape). Restore me today!