"Be Clean!"

Mark 11:11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 

GOD’S life lessons can come in the simplest scenes. Picture our Lord finished with the ceremony and joy of his glorious entrance into Jerusalem. He walks to the temple – his house. He looks around, and then leaves. At first, it seems as if you are watching a reality TV program. You are doing nothing watching someone else doing nothing! 
Something, though, is happening here. It is good for you to watch the Lord Jesus in action. Yes, you might say, “He didn’t do anything.” But he did. Psalms 14:2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Do you think Jesus found any who understood the things of God that evening? 
We know from Mark and other gospels that when Jesus looked around, he saw evidence of evil in the temple. The temple was at risk, but he restrained himself. Jesus left and prepared to return the next day to confront the evil in his house. 
Let’s consider Jesus’ actions in literal and spiritual terms. Regarding your physical house, the place where you live must be a testimony to the Lord’s grace on your life. God’s law commanded Israel to keep a clean camp as they journeyed to the Promised Land. There are various rules of personal and community hygiene established for general health. One of the first acts of the Passover Festival was to sweep the house clean of all dirt. God wants us to remember we are a temple of his Spirit. It is only appropriate we practice clean habits to physically honor the one who lives in us as we are saved in Christ. 2 Corinthians 6:16 For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Jesus is very clear, though, that being clean only on the outside is hypocrisy. In reference to the Pharisees’ outward cleanliness, he chastised them for their unclean hearts, “Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” (Matthew 23:26) It is also fascinating to note that, “Be clean!” was one of Jesus’ physical healing commands. Matthew 8:3-4 “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.  Disease is the result of sin’s corruption into God’s perfection. Cleansing disease illustrates Jesus’ power to clean sin from our souls.
Baptism also illustrates the Spirit cleansing our souls, preparing us for eternal glory. 1 Peter 3:20b In (the Flood) only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
God further urges us to a clean life: Ephesians 5:10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Protect your physical home and spiritual heart from evil. 
Here is Jesus’ lesson for you: Watch over your physical and spiritual house. See what is true in your home and in your heart. Cleanse anything that opposes God. Be clean outside and in.