The purposes of fire throughout scripture are many – fire reveals God, as in the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18); fire ignites vision and purpose, as in the story of Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3); fire illuminates the way forward, as in the story of the Israelites’ journey to freedom (Exodus 13). But fire also serves another purpose, a purpose that we often overlook.

In Malachi 3 we are told that fire has the power to refine. This refiner’s fire seeks to cleanse, to purify, to make perfect. While the process of refining promises a beautiful outcome, it is not easy to endure. Perhaps this is why we ignore the potential of fire to purify – it’s easier to avoid the process of refining than to endure the heat of the fire. We often live our lives attempting to avoid this fire, or squelch it before it has time to do its necessary work, or run the other way when faced with it. But what if we intentionally stepped into the process of purification and allowed ourselves to be refined from within, rather than waiting for an external fire to do it for us?

Consider the story of Jesus clearing the temple courts (John 2:13-17). You’ve been following this teacher, Jesus, since the day you met him, since the day he called you by name and invited you to come and see. That seems like ages ago and so much has happened since.

You’ve heard him speak of beautiful things – heaven opening and angels descending. You’ve seen him perform miracles – turning water to wine in celebration. You’ve observed his gentle and peaceful ways – ways that point to grace and truth. Surely, as John the Baptist proclaimed, the Spirit of God is upon him.

But as you approach the temple courts, you immediately notice a shift in his demeanor. This new energy seems to be animating his every move. You watch as he deftly crafts a whip out of cords, using it to scatter the animals that were awaiting their impending sacrifice. With authority, he overturns tables and scatters the profits of the money changers. His voice rings out above the chaos, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”

As soon as his words reach your ears you remember what is written in the Psalms – “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Questions for reflection:

• How do you respond to this image of Jesus – one who drives out the money changers with authority and force?
• Does the pattern of growth you observe in your life reflect a more proactive process of change, motivated by what God is calling you to, or a reactive process of change, motivated by responses to external circumstances?
• Is there something that God may be removing from your life that you keep trying to resurrect or rebuild?