March 29, 2024
Pastor Darin Youngberg
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Daily Bread
Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 by Bro_D
Daily Bread Oct. 17, 2017
Matthew 21:12-13 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. (13) He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers."
I often wonder what Jesus would think about the way the modern church operates. If He were to walk the halls of the local church, would He be offended? If He were to sit in on a Bible study class, would He tolerate what was being said? IF He were to sit in on the “worship” service, would He stay?
Jesus makes no bones about what His people ought to be doing in “His house” --- it is to be known as a house of prayer. I know our church has a reputation in our community – I know because people call and say, “I heard you help people with _______...” it generally happens after we have helped someone with groceries or paying a bill. I also know that I as a pastor have a reputation – I know because I have been told what others say about me ---- you know…. That I am that “feel good” preacher! I could say that I don’t really care what others think or say about me….. But, this verse indicates that I ought to care – The people who gather together under the Name of Christ OUGHT TO BE KNOWN as a people who pray.
Jesus went into the temple and cleansed it of all that shouldn’t be there – I wonder what He would throw out of our modern day worship centers? More importantly, since the New Testament says that our body is the temple, what would Jesus “throw out” of our lives? What activities keep us from praying? Is there something in our life that keeps our prayers from being heard by the Lord? The Bible clearly teaches that these exist.
As we prepare for the Lord’s Supper in the coming weeks, it would be a good idea for us to come before the LORD and ask Him to take a walk thru our hearts, our minds, our lives and show us what needs to be “cleansed” – trust me, it will be FAR BETTER for us to ask Him to show us than to have Him storm in and begin to turn over the tables!