Reclaiming the Truth
Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” Matthew 21.12-13
Redeeming the Time
Seven hundred years prior to the arrival of Christ, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah.
“These I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.” – Isaiah 56.7
Jesus is now in Passion Week, just days before His crucifixion, and he makes this same statement, and he makes it dramatically. Thomas Constable notes, “In this statement, Jesus is speaking on two levels. Not only were the religious leaders robbing the people financially, but because of this they had also robbed them spiritually by stealing from them the opportunity to come to know God genuinely.”
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” God’s little house on Mars Hill and Due West Road largely sits empty. People drive by it every day. Some people look at it when they drive by, some people ignore it. The banner outside Sanctuary says, “We are praying for you.”
Prayers are being prayed. Worship is happening. Christ is being lifted up. God is being glorified. But it’s not happening in the church building that sits vacant. It’s happening in your home.
Prayers are being prayed. Some are praying throughout the day, some are praying at 7:00 p.m. Worship is happening. Some are worshipping throughout the week, some are tuning in on Sunday’s at 9:15 or 11:00. Christ is being lifted up. In a season of fear and anxiety, conversations are happening pointing heavy hearts back to our Healer. God is being glorified as husbands and wives and kids and neighbors and life groups and DMD groups and Men’s groups and women’s groups and 20 Something’s groups are gathering in new ways, smiling, laughing, blessing, learning, loving and praying.
Your house is becoming a house of prayer. Mine too. May it be so.
Reflection
- What’s changed in the way you think about church?
- How are you seeing and sensing your house becoming a house of prayer?
- What difference is God making in your house and in your heart in this season?
Resting in His Redemption
Rest and receive in the prayer attributed to Clement of Rome (35-99).
We ask you, Master, be our helper and defender.
Rescue those of our number in distress;
raise up the fallen;
assist the needy;
heal the sick;
turn back those of your people who stray;
feed the hungry;
release our captives;
revive the weak;
encourage those who lose heart.
Let all the nations realize that you are the only God, that Jesus Christ is your Son,
and that we are your people and the sheep of your pasture.
Amen.
