18 May 2026
The people in Haggai’s day thought they had found the answer. They were rebuilding the temple. They were busy with God’s work. Surely that holy work would somehow make them clean. But the Lord confronted them with a hard truth. Through Haggai He exposed the false confidence sitting beneath all their activity. As Mark Penrith pointed out in the sermon, the people likely thought, “We are rebuilding God’s house. Surely that holy work will rub off on us. Somehow cleanse us.” But God had another lesson to teach them.
The Lord instructed Haggai, “Ask the priests for a ruling” (Haggai 2:11, CSB). Then came a simple question. “If a man is carrying consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and it touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food, does it become holy?” (Haggai 2:12, CSB). The priests answered correctly. No. Holiness does not spread by touch. As Mark explained, “There is no accidental sanctification.” Holy things do not automatically make unclean people holy.
But the second question reversed everything. “If someone defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?” (Haggai 2:13, CSB). The answer came quickly. Yes. Defilement spreads. Mark captured it well when he said, “You cannot catch holiness like a cold. But defilement? That spreads like plague.” Sin contaminates. It moves. It reaches further than we imagine.
We still fall into the same trap today. We assume that because we attend church, serve faithfully, listen to sermons, or stay busy with Christian things, we must be spiritually healthy. We quietly trust activity over Christ. Yet Mark warned, “You cannot get holy by proximity.” Church attendance cannot cleanse your heart. Ministry involvement cannot wash away sin. Only Christ can make the unclean clean.
Take five quiet minutes today. Ask yourself a hard question. Am I relying on Christian activity or on Christ Himself? Then ask your children, “Does sitting in a garage make you a car?” Smile at the answer. Then teach them the greater truth. Being around church does not make us Christians. Jesus makes us clean.
What spiritual activities are you tempted to trust instead of Christ?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep me from trusting my efforts and routines. Help me trust You alone to make me clean. Amen.