Daily D – Mark 11:17

by | Apr 12, 2022 | Daily D | 0 comments

David G Bowman Logo

Mark 11:17  Then He began to teach them: “Is it not written,  My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?  But you have made it a den of thieves!”

Everyone likes to feel in control. Common psychological disorders are often related to issues of control. The Jews of Jesus’ day demonstrate control issues, don’t they? In a land owned and occupied by Rome and its soldiers, there was one place they considered their own, and all their own, and only their own.

The one place Gentiles could gather to draw near to God in the Temple complex was cluttered with financial exchange agents, livestock and birds for sale for the sacrifices, along with their noises and associated smells. Only the hardiest of worshipers could worship in an atmosphere like Walmart on Christmas Eve. 

Jesus spoke from Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. These are not happy texts. They reflect the bad old days leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. 

God was not then nor today the exclusive possession of any people group. He loves everybody and wants every man, woman, and child to know and experience him. There is no Master Race. There is no Whites Only partition. There is no xenophobia with God. His clear declaration is Love Everybody Everywhere Always. His desire includes tearing down all boundaries and barriers to his presence, his mercy, his grace, and his love. 

Extract from your faith practices anything aimed at elevating you and your kind with any manner of exclusivity. Remove from your worship anything distracting from who God really is and what he really wants. Add nothing creating distance between you and others or requiring extra steps for them to get to God. 

Somehow in this Easter Week of 2022 we still need these reminders. 

Just as death is now dying and will one day pass away forever, may the sins of racism wither and die in our day. Let’s say it again and rejoice in its truth: God loves everyone and so should we.

I will tear down barriers constructed to prevent others from coming to know and experience God. 

Our Father, thank you for loving me, an outsider to those insiders of that day when Jesus cleansed the Temple. Empower me to tear down barriers and to open doors for those who have been shut out from your grace. Expand your love for everyone in the heart of every true believer and for all who will come by faith into relationship with you. Amen. 

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

CONNECT WITH ME!

Interested in learning more about Church Unique or Life Younique? Send a note through the Get In Touch box or Message me through the Facebook link above.

          Church Unique Logo          Auxano Logo

GET IN TOUCH!

READ MY BLOG!

Daily D – Job 8:2-7

Job 8:2-7
“How long will you go on like this?
You sound like a blustering wind.
Does God twist justice?
Does the Almighty twist what is right?
Your children must have sinned against him,
so their punishment was well deserved.
But if you pray to God
and seek the favor of the Almighty,
and if you are pure and live with integrity,
he will surely rise up and restore your happy home.
And though you started with little,
you will end with much.”

Daily D – Job 1:9-11

Job 1:9-11 Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

Daily D – Psalm 145:17

Psalm 145:17
The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness.

Daily D – Psalm 139:1-6

Psalm 139:1-6
O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, LORD.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

Daily D – Psalm 130

Psalm 130
From the depths of despair, O LORD,
I call for your help.
Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.