Glorious morning greetings—
At least the way the morning looks from here is in the vein of glorious—with all the extravagance of Spring exploding everywhere. I’m heading out now to get in my old man jog routine—while Becki is in the kitchen fabricating some breakfast. Then I’ll try to figure out what to do with the rest of what this day has to offer.
May your day be blessed. Ray.
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 sometime.) 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 Corinthians 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, most accurately, living in eager obedience to His will and design. This is our divinely-intended function and purpose. So what is it that violates and interferes with that function and purpose? SIN, in general, and SELF in particular.
“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 needs to be decisively run out of town. These subtle thoughts and influences are enemies and craftily wile their ways into our lives in all sizes, shapes, and forms. (See again Galatians 5:19-21.) They must be identified. They must be expelled at any cost.
The BAD NEWS is that none of us can achieve this on our own. The GOOD NEWS is that all this is achievable through Christ as we personally embrace Him as Savior and Lord.
“Our sense of sin will always be in proportion to our nearness to God.”