Where's my zeal?

Scripture--Isaiah 63 & 64; Psalm 107; John 2
"His disciples remember that it is written: "Zeal for your house has consumed me." John 2:17 (This cross-references back to Psalm 69:9)

Observation--This Scripture passage has always interested me.  It is one of the only times in the Bible where we see Jesus display anger.  We so often see his compassion, mercy, love, even sorrow, for mankind.  When speaking with the Pharisees and Sadducees, we even seen disdain for their actions.  However, this scene in the temple courts brought about a righteous indignation that moved him to immediate action.

The vendors there weren't having a bake sale for missions.  No, they were looking to profit off of the sacrifices that others were intending to make.  They were concerned for their house, not God's house.  The Jews, after Jesus "cleaned up shop," asked by what authority he did this.  They thought his actions were unwarranted.  Who was right?  Jesus.

I see from this that there is a time for righteous anger.  We know that we are supposed to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19).  But, this is different.  Zeal for the Lord should insist that we honor and respect the Lord's house.  Christians, and others, often get angry about various social ills in our society.  Often times, that anger is justified.  But, how often do we get upset at how his church is handled--treated--by others, or by us?  How often do we feel angry enough about how the temple is being used for things other than to worship God?

I could go off on a tangent and specifically talk about how we treat our own bodies, for we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19).  But, I'm going to keep this more generalized.  How often do I show my zeal for God, to stand up for his Church and his Word?  Do I have a zeal for him that consumes me? I can be a zealot for other things: sports, flying, music.  What about God?

Application--I need to be zealous for the Lord's house...my own body, my family, my church.  It's not that I need to just go off on a rant about anything just to vent pent-up anger.  No, I need to know his Word so that I can know how to live a life that will adequately represent him.  I should be more consumed by God, by his Word...consumed by a desire to live a life that honors him, by making sure he is honored among family and friends, more than I am consumed by my "for profit" interests.

Prayer--God, let your zeal consume me.  Let it burn in my heart and soul.  Let it be seen, in the proper way, at all times in my life.  Amen.