THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 11:15-19
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Mark 11:17, Isaiah 56:7)
God’s original design was that all creation would be a place for prayer.
And by prayer, I mean more than ‘asking God for things’.
Prayer, like worship, means more than the narrow ideas we usually give them.
They describe an intimate fellowship, a personal friendship.
The whole creation is God’s house, God’s temple, and so are all of His children.
Where He dwells, where He gives love and receives love.
In a world where people have separated from God, the temple was set up as a beacon, a lighthouse.
An open invitation to the world to come and experience God’s loving fellowship.
Which is why Jesus is so frustrated that the religious leaders have pull up barriers.
Their laws made it necessary to buy sanctioned sacrificial lambs with Jewish currency.
They charged high prices for the lambs, and high exchange rates – a huge fundraiser!
This made it difficult for the poor, and for foreigners, God’s family members.
Do we make it hard for non-Christians and seekers to find Jesus?
Do we demand high jumps and multiple hoops to get in, to belong?
Do we judge or ignore ‘outsiders’, or belittle their lives and attempts to reach God?
Heaven forbid that our church make it hard for people to reach Jesus, to reach God.
Jesus may just come and turn the tables on us!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, Your heart is for ALL people to be restored to fellowship with God. Help us to tear down the walls that are keeping them out… before You have to come and do it for us.