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.
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.