Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

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20 April 10

    Good morning, dear people.

    Thus emerges another blank page in the annals of time.  And time will only tell what will be written on this page titled TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2010.  You probably didn't even realize that you were engaged in such an ongoing adventure.  But you are.  The adventure goes on and on...even beyond the grave...according to the Word of God.

    Please don't leave home without first putting your "hand in the Hand of the Man Who stilled the waters..."

    I trust your day's entry will contain known and identifiable blessing.

        Love and prayers.  Dad/Ray

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20 April 2010
Passage: Mark 11:1-26
Focus: “Is it not written: ’My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?’  But you have made it a ‘den of robbers.’”  Mark 11:27.

            It is highly significant to note that this occasion of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a never-before-ridden donkey (…a miracle in itself!  Try it somethime.) amidst a big parade of exuberant supporters was the first time Jesus had ever allowed Himself to be presented publicly as the promised Messiah.  The crowds were eager and excited over the idea of a Messiah, but totally ignorant of how it would immediately play out according to God’s script.

            The next day when Jesus storms the temple at Jerusalem and purges it of the merchandising that had become commonplace there, He quotes from Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11.  I’d like to give some attention to the three main phrases Jesus uses with the confidence that they contain some valuable practical meaning for us all.

            “MY HOUSE.”  Jesus was quoting from the Old Testament with obvious emphasis on a real building.  But the New Testament makes the profound point that “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).  There is a huge amount of scripture to support this idea.  Think of it.  Your very life and existence is a house made by God—for God.

            “HOUSE OF PRAYER.”  The Genesis account gives insight into the fact that God’s original intent in the creation of man was for fellowship.  Fellowship with God IS prayer.  And prayer IS living in eager obedience to His will and design.  This is our divinely-intended function and purpose.  What is anything less?  SIN.

            “DEN OF ROBBERS.”  That which is permitted in our lives to block our calling to fellowship with God is to be reckoned as a thief and a robber…and decisively run out of town immediately.  These subtle thoughts and influences are enemies and craftily wile their ways into our lives in all sizes and shapes and forms.  (See again Gal. 5:19-21.)  They must be identified.  They must be expelled at any cost.