Text: Isaiah 56:7-8, Jeremiah 7:8-11, Matthew 21:10-17, Luke 19:45-48
Who is this man riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, the one hailed by the crowd as the Son of David? The whole city, the scripture says, is abuzz with the question. You can imagine their surprise when Jesus heads straight for the temple, establishing His authority by driving the sellers out, overturning their tables and tossing money to the temple floor. Talk about causing a stir.
Jesus said to them, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:13b, ESV) Each scriptural account of the story quotes Jesus as making this distinction. A house: a place of rest and restoration and communion. A den: a place of darkness and confinement. But only Matthew tells us what happens next. After Jesus tosses out those who would pervert the temple of God into a temple of wealth and greed and convenience, He does something revolutionary: He invites the Least inside.
The blind, the lame, the children all come in and Jesus welcomes them, heals them, confirms their place among Him. He cleared out those who profaned the temple and ushered in those who humbly sought after God.
When I picture the scene I can see myself in the wings, on the outside looking in. I am nervous, I am afraid, but I am drawn to this house of God and so I watch and wait. Those inside seem to have it together, bringing riches rather than sacrifice, doing religion like a business. All I have is this humble offering in my hands, carried the long journey from my home, over rocky roads and mistake-laden miles. Then I see Him. And right before my eyes I watch Him turn it on its side, all the pretension and injustice and darkness that kept me at bay. He sends out those who’ve come not for God but for gods. And then? He looks me in the eye. Me. Lame, frightened, filthy from days of travel, He looks at me and sees me. He motions for me to come in and then He tells me I belong.
Oh, Sisters, this is our Christ. He welcomes in the defenseless and He becomes their defense. He brings the weak to Himself and makes them strong. He desires not the shiny sacrifices our pride wishes to bring, but only a heart that is stayed on Him.
We cannot purchase Him, for He has purchased us.
Leave a Reply
83 thoughts on "the least"
I read this scripture before but reading it today I received another revelation it amazed me!!
I was truly empowered by this scripture in this devotional. It helped me understand that we must not stand for injustice when it comes to our Christianity. There is injustice when we are told to hide our Christianity but it is acceptable to talk about all other religions or topics. As Christmas season is rushing in, I will tilt the tables and say Merry Christmas, Jesus is the reason for the season.
I am so grateful that Jesus takes us just as we are . I have a very rocky past and the enemy has used that 2 keep me from serving God . But when I read these scriptures I know He loves me just as I am and for a girl like me that’s everything .
When I read today’s devotional, what stuck out was “He sees me… I belong.” It is so good to know that Jesus sees us and He wants us with Him.
Kaira Jordyn
16yrs
It’s definitely all about the heart. God doesn’t need you to have it all together. He knows we don’t. Those who don’t put on an act are exalted.
This is so powerful! I feel like this so many times in my walk with Christ. Whenever I have strayed off the path and I’m too ashamed to come back, our Heavenly Father calls me back into his presence with open arms! Thank you Father God for your grace!
What a mighty God we serve!! He is good and His love endures forever. I come to Christ with all of who I am, letting him carry my burdens. Even still, I know that I fail to turn over everything to him.
Christ sees our hearts and knows when we come to him with the most we can offer to him. A good example of this in my life is with tithing. I have tithed on and off in my adult life and it’s not until I’m married that I really understand that it is something to offer to Christ every month. We should be bringing the first 10% of our earnings to Him and he will bless us and provide.
The imagery of Jesus flipping over a table is just one that’s nearly unfathomable. He does so to make a point to those who practice lawlessness. By letting the children and the poor into the place of worship shows that all are welcome in the house of the Lord. It doesn’t matter where you are in your walk with Christ. For He is good and knows the desires of our heart.
Hmm.. I have been purchased. I am loved and welcomed. This really touches my heart. I love you God.
I am deeply moved and touched by His seeing the heart and need and totality of them that came to Him. Jesus didn’t get caught up with the outward appearance or the situation or the politically correct response. There was no other measure than His spirit. Thank God for these things.
I serve the God who sees me. Hhe truly sees who I am and loves me anyway.
“But only Matthew tells us what happens next. After Jesus tosses out those who would pervert the temple of God into a temple of wealth and greed and convenience, He does something revolutionary: He invites the Least inside.” Oh… my… LORD! Gut-punched and brought to tears–but in a mighty good way. Thank you, Sis. Amanda, for the reminder that “the least” are always and forever at the forefront of GOD’s heart and mind. This is one of the things that assures my heart is forever stayed on Him!
So true! His perspective is always flawless and true.
I have been reading the 5 day truth devotional through YouVersion and it has become one of the most effective readings for me. Truth is being swallowed up in our society presently, and we all know that the only solid truth is God’s word. This simply feeds my soul fully. Thank you.
Your statement ” A house: a place of rest and restoration and communion. A den: a place of darkness and confinement,” hit me when I read it. I remember growing up and having friends with dens. Rooms in their houses used to watch tv typically, but they were always dark, and confining. This dark place is found in our house. Our place of comfort and rest. It reminded me that those “dens” can be found every where, even where we don’t expect it. In our church’s , homes, and safe places. But what we do when we encounter those dens is what makes us a follower and a believer. We have a choice to walk in and find false hope in the “comfort” and distraction of the couch and tv or we can walk away, pull someone out with us and go feed off the word or build relationship. Thank you for your words, they bring such wonderful insight to the word!
I realized God was my beloved when my husband of 20 years died in an auto accident. I was alone raising up 4 sons. My eldest 20, then a 14 year old and 8 and 9 years old. I was told my son’s would not have much of a chance of becoming men of God without a father to help me raise them. But I held on to the Word of God where he says he is the Father to the fatherless and the defender of widows. I raised up my son’s in “the way they should go”, and when they got older they did not depart from it. Oh they made alot of mistakes that brought me to my knees, however when I was on my knees God stood up and took over their situations. God is so good all the time!
I’m so in love with this plan. Omg. I hate that it’s just not five days. But I am grateful to you my sister.
This reminds me of the same Fatherly love when I was a child. Sitting on the floor amongst my toys and my dad would come into the living room to watch tv after supper and I would inch my way to the foot of him just waiting on his signal to come and massage his feet after a long day of work. It gave me such great joy of that great moment of approval . Favored too offer my labor of love and appreciation for all he does for our family. And I was the only sibling in the room at the time.
I just started one of your bible reading plans on the bible app and I absolutely love reading your stuff. Thank you
This definitely ministered to me today, especially because I’ve been praying for even more humility. To God be the glory! God bless you, for this lesson. ❤️
The true love of Jesus. I absolutely love him so❤ He accepts us all as His children, and I accept Him as my Father.
Hmm, Absolutely We cannot purchase Him, He Purchased Us! He is indeed God all by Himself. All We owe Him is Our Lives totally sold out to His Course on a daily basis.Thanks for thought provoking piece this morning!
This got me thinking of what people do now that Jesus would want to kick them out. I am sure that there are some churches that do this exact thing, but how many do things that may look innocent but are taking away from what the church building should be? It should be a place of worship and prayer, however how many of us us it for gossip and slander. I pray that I am one that Jesus is inviting in and not kicking out.
Thank God for his grace and his mercy. And that he invites the least of us into his presence with all of our flaws and weaknesses. God is looking for true worshippers; and when we worship him in spirit and in truth, he heals our infirmities an renews us. He restores our joy.
What a timely word. It brought encouragement to my weary heart today.
What an amazing God we serve sisters! The fact that HE… the creator loves and cherishes me…a sinner, a women with shame and doubt, a women who fails at perfection everyday. If he does nothing else for me in my life, simply being HIM is enough…I am His…HE is mine:)
That Jesus invites "the least and the lost" into a place of refuge, safety and prayer and comfort… Welcoming all and not only those who can quote and misquote the scriptures makes me feel called to respond in the same manner. Everyone. every. one. Is welcomed into the fold and invited to share in His Grace…THAT is amazing. That is LOVE.
Thank God for His mercy! If it wasn’t for His mercy I would certainly not be invited in I was like a jezzebell growing up. Thanks to Jesus and His forgiveness I’m not ashamed to admit that any more I have been forgiven and redeemed 2 Corinthians 5 : 17 I am a new creature because of Christ and I praise Him for that every day! Now I can be one of the least He invites in. I’ve seen in my past all the times He had tried to get my attention but I hung out with no one who knew God so it took me until now to notice all the things He had tried to do. Thank you Jesus for your mercy I came to you giving my life to you almost 5 years ago and you blessed me with an amazing marriage and an adorable little girl :) thank you for all my blessings my life me husband my daughter and a voice to share you and praise you endlessly!
As I read today – I was struck by the following thought: if my body is now the temple of the Holy Spirit, what I allowing to happen in it? Is my focus distracted onto buying and selling etc OR is it focused on being a house of prayer.
I think sometimes i view God as this high being watching and waiting to send lighting bolts down on me for my shortcomings, but this makes me see a little different. Jesus as angry at the people who were abusing God’s house, not the ones who stood outside thinking they weren’t worthy-the ones who humbled themselves before Himand desperately needed Him. Instead, He welcomed them and healed them. I’m not worthy to come inside, Lord, but you have redeemed me,you love me and tiny welcome me. It is not what i have done, but what YOU have done for me. Thank you, Lord.
This story touches me because i am a temple of God. I allowed people to use and abuse me. Now it is time for me to turn the tables.
My heart sings that even i am invited to worship my God! I who am unworthy i who have sinned day in and day out. Praise him for loving me!!
I’m a few days behind in this devotional plan and I am rejoicing! Rejoicing in the fact that I was bought and I know whose I am! Sisters, have a blessed day!
Our God loves us and desires for us to have a heart that yearns for him daily!! Thank you for a reminder through this devotion. I refuse to dwell in sin and worldly goods! I repent and turn from my wicked ways/past. Ladies we have work to do and souls to connect to Christ. Let’s get after it together!!
Today’s devotional was both convicting and humbling. Conviction came through the reminder that our body is God’s temple and I am guilty of not treating it that way lately, but I’m humbled by the love Christ that despite faults he love me unconditionally and that keeps me motivated. So despite my short comings I leave them behind continue to press toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus! Thank you SRT. God bless you my sisters as we press on together!
Whenever I feel worthless and without talent, I can dwell on Him who made me just the way I am, in His image, and loves me like no other. Hallelujah!
Confident and made for maximum customer help, these weight loss supplements are truly the ultimate solution to check out. Oh yeah- especially since I feel very energized throughout the day even if I only get 5 hours of sleep the night before.
Such a beautiful picture of Christ and His children coming to the house of The Lord. I am reminded of Gods amazing love and His desire for is to humbly come to him in worship. In Jeremiah I am reminded of the importance of keeping His commands and being “real” and pure when I come before the Father. Gods House is a place of restoration and communion-so thankful for my home church!
Just discovered this plan and love it! Thank you Lord for seeing me!
I absolutely love this! My grandmother always told me to find a church home wherever I go. Only when I found myself in a humbled situation did I realize what she meant.
This is an amazing story! I have read it many times but have never looked at it with this perspective. It's like a light came on and I can see just how much grace and love he had for the least of these. And I pray to show the the love of Christ in my daily walk with him. Thank you for this wonderful devotional! God bless you sisters!
As I continue reading and learning I’m becoming more and more in tuned with my surroundings and wondering how in the world will I stay on this path with so much going on in this world!!!! My heart is just loving that I can see the truth but it’s the pain I hate. I hate people hurting. I hate people suffering. I hate reaching out and no knw takes my hand. But I continue to believe.
Angel-The only way we can move forward is with Jesus! This world is a messed up place, but WE-God's kids-have the answer to it all. We must just move through our day sharing his love one person at a time. It is not easy and I get discouraged and want to run for cover, too, but we can't do that, can we? We must put on our armour and share Jesus with everyone! It is the only choice. Blessings to you!
Continue to believe, have faith, persevere..God has all your days numbered from before time began (Psalm 139:16!) He promises if you continue to seek Him first He will never leave you or forsake you..it’s difficult when we long for a physical hand to reach out to us , but rest assured that while you’re waiting for those people God prepared beforehand to come Into your life to walk beside you & do life with..He is there! I pray you take comfort in His promises today & every day! You are loved sister!!!
The least….whenever I sing a new song to my God I always say this ” I will praise you forever because you chose me the least of these you placed a crown on my head and gave me a new name and now I’m a sheep of your herd and forever I will be with you”. He chose me to shame the wise , I am the one that didn’t belong in a church I was too filthy too unworthy to serve him to be healed or used by him but he welcomed me with open arms and now I belong to him forever. :-)
Why is it simpler to know I’m a bought than died for? And why can I not see God as my Father?
The bible says that if we search for him with our whole heart we will find him. I think you should read, search, meditate and pray then you will get the understanding that you need. God bless you as you search for him with your whole heart! You will find him!!
That is an incredible answer Soraya! Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open for you. He is your father and he loves you soooo much. God's blessings on your walk for newfound wisdom and understanding of God's word!
I have had trouble staying motivated to study God’s word. Must be doing something wrong. I am doing this study and a bible in a year. I have be prating for the spirit to help me understand and apply what i read to my life.
This speaks volumes to me this morning. Some things that have taken place in my life have taught me how to be humble and count on nobody but my god! Im not perfect but my intentions are never to hurt others,and i countinue to repent and thank god for blessing me inspite of! He is my joy, my shelter, my boss, my comforter, and an all knowing awesome father! Lord i love you and i continue to step out on nothin but pure faith!i dont want to worry anymore, you know the desires of my heart and the purity of my soul!!!
Its truly amazing to know He loves me so. I can never thank Him enough
Good morning sisters in Christ! WOW! Isn' t that a great thing to see on a blog early in the morning. How many times have I stood on the outside feeling so dirty, frightened, & unworthy at that point in my life to enter his holy temple? Yet because of HIS death on the cross He sees past all that mess & pain & still invites to me to come on in & worship In His presence. This is the God we serve!!!
Amen!
Do I welcome anyone who enters the church building on sundays? Is it a club that leaves people out or do we open our arms? What would Jesus do if he entered our churches? He came to seek and save the lost. He told us to go out and make disciples. Are we?
How amazing Jesus is…claiming what is righteous..sacred. Calling me…a filthy rag..to Him! His grace and love can never be met by human standards. Thank you Lord..for loving me and for all of my sisters out there..hurting..fighting..following you, though doubt and shame we struggle with..not giving up!
All I can say to this devotional is…Thank you Lord for seeing me!!!
Ah. I feel such conviction.
"But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 7:8-11)
I feel convicted. I want to confess this sin to you all, and the confusion I feel: The Lord has taken a heavy yoke off my back, and things hurt less with my ex around; because of this, I have not sought the Lord or wanted to be as close to Him. I can feel it and see it in my bible study and just in my thought processes during the day; we've all done this, but I've caught it now, and I don't want this. I want Christ to be close again.
Lord, come here.
Praying for you.
That was just beautiful. The picture of Jesus welcoming me in. I so want to be focused on that every day. I am struggling right now, with my performance as a parent and spouse, and at my job. I feel in my heart that my worth depends on my performance (even though I know otherwise in my head), and then when I receive critical comments from others (or even from myself!) I feel like I’m not good enough. And then I get defeated and just want to give up and do something easier that maybe I could feel more successful at. I really want to carry the vision of Jesus welcoming me and loving me despite the fact that I have little to offer. Why is that so hard?
We cannot purchase Him, for he has purchased us. Thank you, Jesus, and thank you, SRT for this message. I need to remember this in my core. Everyday. There's nothing I can do that would make Him love me any more or less than He already does. He is my Savior. Personally and forever.
I pray that He will help me with the “pretensions” and other pre-conceived notions in my mind have kept me at bay.
“And then? He looks me in
the eye. Me. Lame, frightened, filthy from
days of travel, He looks at me and sees me.
He motions for me to come in and then He
tells me I belong.”
I belong. We belong. I’m still welcomed greeted with a smile. It feels great to know that you always have a place where you belong and don’t have to feel out of place. His house is open to all. I should never hesistate to come on in. He sees me. He sees us. We are always welcome into His house of prayer, no matter what.
This devotional brought tears to my eyes. (Rare for a devotional to do this to me.) it struck a chord in me. Accepting my lack of money and physical stamina etc when my heart so wants to do more has been a journey. This way this devo was written: then I saw him looking at me… He invites me just to come to him and what he wants is a heart stayed on him. Here I am lord Jesus.
Sorry I wanted to give you a thumbs up but clicked thumbs down by mistake :-( I love what you wrote!
I remember this day!! It touched me during that study and it convicts me today!
HE PURCHASED US!!
What a gift, what a blessing. That I, in all my mess, was worth Christ dying for…Sisters, it just wrecks me! And yes, that I should keep myself holy because I AM a temple. A vessel. A light.
Me.
Everyday I pray for God to soften my heart. For His truth to be written on my heart. For the Holy Spirit to guide me and help me live His truth.
I often fail.
But I do come right to SRT, EVERY day regardless.
I spend time in His word, that I might get stronger in faith and fail less. I struggle. But He meets me right where I am.
Everyday!
I can do no less, to try and try and try again.
I am loved by Him who shed His blood for us!
Isn’t that a.m.a.z.i.n.g.
Thank you Jesus!!
Filled with love for all my Sisters in Christ today-
Be Blessed! :)
I accidentally started this yesterday, not realising it was Day One of a “reading plan.” I’ve lately felt like I need to get back in the Bible, after a while of setting it aside, and I came here.
I think this devotional is exactly what I needed. I’m going through a lot, and a little reminder that He will accept me broken and bruised is just what I needed.
Christen
http://christenlouise.blogspot.com
Read my response to this post on my blog kathryn-byhisgrace.tumblr.com
Whoops! I forgot about the name change! It’s lj-byhisgrace.tumblr.com
Good Morning Ladies,
This morning before I read today's devotion, I had prayed that God would make my heart softer. I had been feeling so just harden by life lately and I didn't like the way it was making me feel. Then I read today's devotion and I am in tears. I know we are supposed to mature as Christians and not be so in awe of the simple things, but I am always just in awe, amazed, wow! by the fact that God loves me. He love ME! I am so one of the lame, who is just so filthy and not deserving to be near such the awesome God, but he turns and invites them all into the temple and just loves them, heals them and oh…. God is awesome.
Thank you for today's devotion. I hope I didn't babble on to much. Have a wonderful day.
Yes joanna dear, I know how exactly you feel. You must also know that maturity does not mean we shouldnt appreciate or allow ourselves feel God's love, crying is ok, it only goes to show the depth of your emotions. Never feel you are too mature to cry in adoration to God.
From another Sue. Also a broken and lame one. Crying also. Tears. My heart is also hardened by life. Sometimes coarse to people. I may not always act it put but G sees my heart. And life is all about the heart. I cannot love me, but it is nice to know that He does. I just wished that I could always feel that.
Thank you SRT for making a difference in my life. Each morning to dig into God's word. Blessings galore!
Somehow I missed this, even today. wow! He drives them out and invites the blind, the lame, all of those in. this is so special to me, being myself blind. thank you, Jesus!
Thank you Misce for your insight on this Devotion. I knew all of that but sure needed to hear it again! He chose me to be His dwelling place. What an honor, what love he has for me!❤️
This was such an intimate account of the love my savior has for me (us). I know this story so well but this devo really made it personal. The intimacy of belonging and being radically made room for in His court is praiseworthy indeed.
I remember when I thought God was scarey and out to punish people. I didn't really understand that God is Love! That his sacrifice of his only son was out of Love for us! Thank you for Jesus!
I was brought up with an abusive (and atheist) father. When I became a Christian in my late 30s, I still expected God was just waiting to squash me. It has taken me 10 years to grasp how deep and how long and how wide is the love of Christ. Something that really helped me was a sermon from Louie Giglio about how we see God. Thank you for admitting that had some questions at one time too! God bless you
Thank God for His attention to little old me. Sometimes man can make me feel so insignificant, because I don't look like what they think is successful. I am rich because of God's grace and mercy. I don't have the material trappings that society says is the proof of success, but I have Christ's love for me. He died and rose for me, therefore I am rich! Be blessed ladies.
Ever since I was a kid this story of Jesus turning tables and being angry at the Temple has been a question to me. Why did He have to do that? If He is really God, if He is really good then why did He react that way? Was He overreacting?
Thank God that in today's devo, He gave me a clear answer! (After so many years!) I learned that:
– Jesus was so angry because the people were ROBBING THE HONOR FROM GOD by NOT using the Temple for the very purpose why it was built –TO GLORIFY HIM! … To welcome the people whom He loves (the lame, the blind, the needy…)
– The Bible says that "My Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). Just like the Temple in Jerusalem, my body was carefully designed by God to be His dwelling place.
THEREFORE…
– I must honor God with my body by using it — TO GLORIFY HIM — (the purpose why He created it). – 1 Cor. 6:20
– My body should be SET APART — SACRED TO HIS USE! I should not share it for other purposes because He is a jealous God, and to use it for other purposes than His is ROBBING HIM. (Which is why He called the people in the Temple "Thieves")
"You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
***It became clear to me, Jesus' Character in that scenario is actually consistent with God's Character in the Old Testament.***
Good morning sisters! :)
I had a similar "ah ha" moment this morning — especially with connecting His Temple to the small Temple He owns in my heart, mind, and body. I've not done all I should to 1. Take care of it and 2. Set it apart solely for Him. But I'm seeing it all in a new light today and am excited for what this change of perspective will bring in the coming days!
Wow! What you said really hit home to mt today. ouch! yes, I must honor god with my body. thanks for this.
SO SO SO GOOD, I recently got this revelation as well !
Wow, what are revelation! I may have dressed this Temple well, but not dedicated it to only the Lord's work. This stops today. Pray for me and with me my sisters to be accountable and cognizant of His Spirit inside. To do His bidding. To be His daughter. to do His work.
You're right! I always just chalked this up to "righteous anger." But this gave me a clear picture!
This!! It’s always amazing to think about God’s grace. Esspecially when I know how undeserving I am of it. HE has called in… Brought me home, away from all the noise and wretchedness in my past, through the mistake-laden miles. He carries me in!! Overwhelming what God can do with a heart that earnestly seeks Him. No pretence, just undiluted passion for Him. His love is just awesome. Okay, I need to stop gushing now. Thank you for this.