Zeal isn’t a word that we use much today. Literally, it means eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something. It also means fervor, and, in generations past, when turned in to an adjective, zealous, it was often applied to religion. But today, we rarely hear it.
But in today’s passage, the word is applied to Jesus in John 2:17, coming from a statement in Psalm 69:9. Jesus’ eagerness in seeing God’s house used for the purposes for which it was intended, and his ardent interest in removing anything which hindered this is clear from the story. His fervent defense of the temple is clear for all to see, and it does seem as if this zeal will ultimately consume Him, as those opposed to Him will use it against Him.
Generally, in the Scripture, zeal is defined positively and proscriptively. We are advised in Romans 12:11 not to lag in zeal. In fact, in Titus 2:14 we’re told that Jesus gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all impurity and purify for Himself a people of His own who are zealous for good deeds.
Could you be said to be zealous in the way Jesus is? Do you have zeal, eagerness in the pursuit of God, ardent interest when it comes to your life in Him, fervor to be engaged in good deeds? Tonight, many of us will demonstrate our fervor for the New England Patriots (or the Denver Broncos). I’ve already reserved my seat at a friend’s house, eager as I am to see what happens on the field, ardently interested in pursuing the ultimate goal, the SuperBowl. Do I demonstrate similar characteristics when it comes to what happens in this life with God, and in the life to come?
Could zeal be a word that is used to describe me and you?
