Good day, Zane.
I’ll be heading out soon to continue a few more hours of sawmill work at a property where the owner is only available in the afternoon from about 3pm. My time there may also include falling a couple big Doug Fir trees. Oh, phooey!—I’m hearing rain on the roof again. Oh well. I told the customer that I would plan on milling with or without rain. I would just prefer without.
Tomorrow we’re planning to submit to a car transaction that will relieve us of the Kia Sorento that is needing a new engine. That exchange is destined to put us into an older Toyota Avalon.
Hope you’re doing OK and will soon be able to secure a good job. Love and prayers—Tua/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 wild with excitement over the idea of a Messiah, but totally ignorant of how it would immediately play out according to God’s script for this unfolding drama.
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 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.
“DEN OF ROBBERS.” That which is permitted in our lives to block our calling to fellowship with God is to be equated with a thief and a robber—and needs to be decisively run out of town. Such subtle thoughts and influences are enemies of our created purpose and design…yet they craftily wile their way into our lives in all sizes, shapes, and forms. (See again Galatians 5:19-21.) They must be identified and 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.