Today’s Scripture Readings:
Psalm 56:9-13
Joshua 19:1 - 20:9
Luke 19:28-48
Proverbs 13:12-14
Today’s Scripture Focus: Luke 19:28-48
Luke 19:45-46 (NIV)
Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. [46] "It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be a house of prayer'; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
The
temple was designed by God for the purpose of being a place of worship
and prayer for all of God's people--it was to be a house of prayer for
all nations. But somehow it lost it's focus--it was robbed of
it's purpose. Jesus cleared the temple and declared that the
house of prayer had become a den of robbers. So, how does a
"house of prayer" become a "den of robbers"?
In part it was because of pride and prejudice. The Israelite people saw to it that their needs were being met, but lost sight of God's concern for the nations. They began to think that God only cared about "people like us." So the court of the gentiles seemed unnecessary--and it became a place to sell merchandise to make their lives easier. Personal convenience became more important than God's heart for all people.
In part it was because of personal agendas. Some were motivated by money, others had their own agenda. Whatever the agenda, it wasn't Gods.
Like the people of Israel, people in churches today, do the same thing. They begin to think that the church is only for "people like us". When churches cease to care about reaching out to new people--when they forget about God's heart for all nations--the church loses focus and purpose.
When personal agendas are more important than God's agenda, when our personal convenience is more important than the needs of the lost, we fall prey to the same temptation. When my personal preferences are holding the church hostage to God's design to reach out effectively, then the church has been robbed of it's purpose for existence. The house of prayer becomes a den of robbers.
With Joy,
Pastor Jeff
Tomorrow's Scripture Readings:
Psalm 57:1-6
Joshua 21:1 -22:20
Luke 20:1-26
Proverbs 13:15-16
©2004 by Jeffrey R. Syverson. Feel free to share with others, but give credit where credit is due.
In part it was because of pride and prejudice. The Israelite people saw to it that their needs were being met, but lost sight of God's concern for the nations. They began to think that God only cared about "people like us." So the court of the gentiles seemed unnecessary--and it became a place to sell merchandise to make their lives easier. Personal convenience became more important than God's heart for all people.
In part it was because of personal agendas. Some were motivated by money, others had their own agenda. Whatever the agenda, it wasn't Gods.
Like the people of Israel, people in churches today, do the same thing. They begin to think that the church is only for "people like us". When churches cease to care about reaching out to new people--when they forget about God's heart for all nations--the church loses focus and purpose.
When personal agendas are more important than God's agenda, when our personal convenience is more important than the needs of the lost, we fall prey to the same temptation. When my personal preferences are holding the church hostage to God's design to reach out effectively, then the church has been robbed of it's purpose for existence. The house of prayer becomes a den of robbers.
With Joy,
Pastor Jeff
Tomorrow's Scripture Readings:
Psalm 57:1-6
Joshua 21:1 -22:20
Luke 20:1-26
Proverbs 13:15-16
©2004 by Jeffrey R. Syverson. Feel free to share with others, but give credit where credit is due.