Most of us picture Jesus as gentle—healing the sick, blessing children, speaking words of comfort. But there is one moment in His ministry when His love looked like fire: when He walked into the temple, stopped, and said, “My house is the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Luke 19:46) The temple was supposed to be the center of worship. Instead, it had become a marketplace of exploitation, distraction, and noise. Jesus didn’t simply correct a problem. He confronted a false system of worship that was suffocating true devotion. And it’s not just a story from the past. The Bible says this moment is a preview of the final conflict over worship (Revelation 13–18). When Worship Becomes Transactional Instead of Transformational In Jesus’ day, priests and merchants created a system where forgiveness cost money, spirituality could be purchased, and the poor were pushed aside. The problem wasn’t the temple—it was the spirit controlling it. Anytime religion becomes: A performance instead of prayer A business instead of a blessing A tradition instead of a living relationship with God …it becomes what Jesus called a “den of thieves.” A place where the heart is robbed instead of restored. Even sincere believers can lose their way when worship drifts into noise, routine, or self-focus. The Real Issue Behind the Temple Cleansing Jesus did not cleanse the temple to simply remove animals or moneychangers. He cleansed it because the purpose of worship had been lost. Worship is meant to: Reveal the character of God Restore broken hearts Connect us to His presence Point us to His mission in the world When worship loses these elements, it becomes hollow—even if the outward forms look religious. This same issue appears again in Revelation, where two systems of worship emerge: One centered on the Lamb (Revelation 14:1–7) and one centered on human authority, pressure, and deception (Revelation 13:15–17). The conflict is not primarily political. It’s spiritual. It’s about who shapes your heart. A Cleansing That Starts With Us What Jesus did in the temple, He wants to do in every believer. Ellen White describes this perfectly: “The work of Christ in cleansing the temple is a lesson for us. He has a work to do in clearing out the temple of the soul from the defilement of sin.” — Review and Herald, Feb. 7, 1899 This is not condemnation—it’s invitation. Jesus does not cleanse to shame us. He cleanses to free us. He cleanses because He loves us too much to leave us unchanged. We sometimes fear His cleansing because we think it will be painful. But Jesus removes only what harms, distracts, or enslaves. He restores what gives life. Why This Matters for the End Times Revelation says the last great issue is worship: “Fear God… worship Him that made heaven, and earth.” — Revelation 14:7 This is the same message Jesus gave in the temple, but on a global scale. End-time worship is not about: Rituals Buildings Cultural Christianity Tradition It’s about loyalty, love, and truth. It’s about allowing Jesus full access to our hearts. It’s about choosing the Lamb over the noise. The world is moving toward a worship crisis where deception, pressure, and confusion will increase. But Jesus is forming a people who worship “in spirit and in truth”—people who are not swept away by appearances, feelings, or pressure. A Hopeful Conclusion The story of Jesus cleansing the temple is not just a warning—it’s a promise. It tells us that Jesus sees every distortion of worship… and He cares enough to step in. It tells us that God is more committed to our spiritual freedom than we are. And it reminds us that before the final events unfold, Jesus is cleansing hearts today—gently removing whatever keeps us from experiencing His presence, His peace, and His power. True worship isn’t noisy. It isn’t complicated. It isn’t for sale. It’s simply this: A life open to the presence of God. R Scott Holder

It all started with a desire among members of the Bowdle Adventist Church in South Dakota to begin an outreach in their community—a place where parents could have a few hours to themselves while volunteers shared Jesus’ love with their children. The church decided to hold the event on the third Thursday of each month for three hours, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Over time, Kids’ Night grew in both age and number—from about a dozen young children to nearly 40 participants, ranging in age from three to 13. This growth has been a blessing, though it also meant adding more structure, planning additional activities, and making the most of the church’s space, especially during the winter months. Each month brings something new. Much of the time, the theme follows the season or holiday of that month. In winter, the group celebrates the birth of Jesus and enjoys outdoor fun in the snow. Spring reminds them of God’s love through Jesus’ death on the cross. Summer brings sunshine, water and joy as they celebrate God’s presence in their lives. Fall fills hearts with gratitude for what God has done and brings the fun of a fall festival. One of the most memorable gatherings took place last winter when the group split up the boys and girls. The girls enjoyed a special night of nails, foot spa, games and glam while learning about women of faith in the Bible. Each evening begins with a group activity where everyone joins in for fun and laughter. After that, the children move into exercise time with “animal exercises” like jumping-jack starfishes, jumping frogs, bear crawls, and more. Then all the children come together to pray in a circle—one of the organizers’ favorite moments of the night, as it has encouraged some of the children to pray heartfelt prayers for the very first time. Following prayer, the group enjoys a wonderful (and often very loud!) mealtime. After supper, the children are usually divided into two groups: the younger ones (pre-K through first grade) and the older ones (second grade and up). During this time, they sing songs, hear a Bible story, and the younger children also complete a craft project. To close the evening, everyone joins together for glow sticks and to sing This Little Light of Mine—a reminder to shine the light of Jesus throughout the coming month and to keep shining until He comes again to take us home. The church family continues to see many blessings through this ministry. None of it would be possible without the dedicated volunteers, faithful prayers, and hard work poured into each evening. Members ask for prayers that Kids’ Night will keep growing and sharing Jesus’ love with children, helping shape their hearts for Him. They also hope this ministry inspires others to reach out to the children in their own communities and find ways to share Jesus’ love with them every day. “But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these’” (Luke 18:16, NIV). Sarah Heinrich serves as the children’s ministries director at the Bowdle Adventist Church. She and her husband, Josh, along with their two children, are active in church life.

When was the last time you exchanged pleasantries with a llama? Or looked eye-to-eye with a goat or hugged a pony? How about a ride on a hayrack? Wouldn’t you love to do that again! The Cedar Rapids Church in Iowa and Andrews Christian Academy families and friends from near and far were recently able to enjoy these experiences and much, much more. As an annual event, friends come together at the acreage home of Loren and Julie Olson. Loren is our head elder, and his wife Julie is our elementary school principal and 5-8 grade teacher. They have generously hosted this event for years, and it has become a landmark experience for all in attendance.   Families and friends enjoyed delicious Iowa sweet corn, Linketts, watermelon and an abundance of delicious potluck foods, all within the friendly outdoors of the Olsons’ acreage. Mr. Olson drove his John Deere tractor through the fields, giving hayrides full of laughter and singing. If ping-pong was your fancy, you were in luck. You could find it in the barn loft! Air hockey? Yes, that was also available in the loft. Friends, old and new, chatted while children played in the cool temperatures, taking turns on the tire swing or playing with the critters. Everyone is welcome to attend, and it is a great opportunity to bring guests. Each one appreciated the warm hospitality, beautiful decorations and the animals!   But beyond this, a greater experience was taking place. The event is more than great food and fresh air. It is about building, renewing and creating relationships.  Families from two local churches, school families, neighbors from near and far—all gathered to witness and experience the deep joys of family, faith and fellowship. We pulled up our camp chairs, hay bales and benches to visit or rest while watching the youngsters play. Best of all, as the sun began to set an amazing worship and song service inspired everyone. We heard pleasing harmonies, excellent testimony and heartfelt prayer. A new member leading worship stated, “It was a slice of heaven,” and he felt like he and his family had found themselves a new church home. Loren and Julie shared, “We feel so blessed that our little farm is a place where community can come together and fellowship with laughter, worship and making friends. It brings all our cultures together and gives us so much joy.” What a blessing to share this annual tradition with our church family and school community! We are grateful to the Lord for His blessing at this annual event, to the Olsons, and to all who worked so hard to make the evening a success.   Remember, the Lord has told us in Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Oh, and yes, the Olsons do have a llama—two in fact.  And 12 goats, a pony, 45 chickens of various breeds, a dog and …cats! Carol Bradley is communication leader for the Cedar Rapids Church in Iowa.

Every year, as winter settles over our streets and homes grow warm with lights, people all around the world find themselves thinking about hope, generosity, and the birth of Jesus. For some, this season is wrapped in childhood memories and joyful traditions. For others, it’s a time of questions, hesitation, or mixed feelings — especially for those who want to remain loyal to Scripture above custom. Yet one thing is beautifully clear: whenever people pause to consider Jesus, to reflect on His humility, and to express love, something good is happening. And Scripture never discourages us from remembering Christ or sharing kindness. A Season That Opens Hearts Even though the Bible does not tell us the date of Jesus’ birth, it does tell us this: “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The incarnation — God becoming man — is one of the greatest mysteries and mercies in all of Scripture. If a particular time of year awakens people’s attention to this miracle, then we have an opportunity to gently lift their eyes higher. Not to a holiday. Not to commercialism. But to the Savior, whose coming changes lives. Love Is Always in Season The apostle Paul makes a remarkable statement: “For all the law is fulfilled in one word… Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Galatians 5:14). If the world slows down long enough for people to practice generosity, compassion, and kindness — then believers can enter that space with quiet confidence. Our message does not depend on a date, a festival, or even a cultural tradition. Love isn’t seasonal — but sometimes the season helps people notice it. Finding the Biblical Center A Christ-centered approach doesn’t require embracing every Christmas tradition, nor does it require waging war against them. A balanced, Bible-faithful mindset simply asks: How can this moment be used to point to Jesus? Scripture gives us several clear themes we can highlight without hesitation: 1. God’s Gift of Christ “For God so loved the world, that he gave…” (John 3:16). The ultimate gift is not wrapped in paper — it is the gift of salvation. This truth allows us to speak meaningfully about giving without entering tradition debates. 2. Christ’s Humility “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor…” (2 Corinthians 8:9). The spirit of humility shines in a world often distracted by materialism. The contrast itself becomes a teaching moment. 3. Light in the Darkness “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). The symbolism of light is deeply biblical. Whether homes are lit with candles or neighborhoods with decorations, believers can turn the conversation toward the Light that never goes out. 4. Peace and Goodwill “On earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Even people who rarely think about God sense their need for peace during this season. This creates fertile soil for gentle, Christ-centered conversations. Respecting Differences Without Losing Our Message One of the strengths of this season is that people come from many backgrounds — some celebrate Christmas enthusiastically, some cautiously, and some not at all. We can acknowledge that sensitively: Some treasure family traditions Some prefer a simple, quiet reflection Some do not observe the holiday religiously Some carry painful memories during this time But all can benefit from discovering — or rediscovering — the love of God. Christ meets people where they are. And so can we. A Time to Practice Christlike Love Ellen White captured this balanced approach beautifully: “We are not to praise the day or the season, but we can honor the occasion by seeking to bless others.” —Adapted from Review & Herald, Dec. 9, 1884 Her emphasis was not on the date, but on reflecting Christ’s character whenever hearts are open to receive it. This season gives us natural opportunities to: visit those who are lonely encourage someone who is grieving reconcile with a friend or family member share with those in need express gratitude testify of God’s goodness None of these depend on Christmas as a religious observance. All reflect the life of Jesus. The Point Is Christ — Not the Calendar A season that turns attention to Christ is not a time we need to fear — it’s a time we can redeem. Paul said: “Let your speech be always with grace” (Colossians 4:6). This season hands us countless opportunities to speak — and to live — grace. Not because the world calls it Christmas, but because Christ calls us to shine His love every day of the year. Closing Thought You don’t have to defend traditions you don’t practice. You don’t have to attack traditions others value. You don’t have to argue dates, origins, or customs. Simply use the moment. When people think of giving — point them to the Giver. When people think of peace — point them to the Prince of Peace. When people think of light — point them to the Light of the World. When people think of love — point them to the God who is love. And in doing so, you’ll offer a message that is truly biblical, truly Christ-centered, and truly hopeful — no matter what day it happens to be. R Scott Holder