Loving God bless and protect this dear reader in all they may face today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Matthew 21: 12 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. 13 He quoted this text: My house was designated a house of prayer; You have made it a hangout for thieves. 14 Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them. 15 When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, "Hosanna to David's Son!" they were up in arms and took him to task. 16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus said, "Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, 'From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?" 17 Fed up, Jesus turned on his heel and left the city for Bethany, where he spent the night. (The Message)
Many identify with the anger that Jesus displays in this scene that happens, according to this version, immediately after the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. What we should really be seeing is that this was a demonstration of how low the established worship center of God had gotten. The original purpose of worshiping God and re-examining lives had been replaced by a profit minded group whose eyes were not on God but on the bottom line. Jesus overturned their tables and quoted Scripture about how the house of God was to be a house of prayer not a den of thieves. The place was so crowded that the physically challenged people could not even get into the Temple. Jesus made room for them and then healed them. And instead of joying the joy of those healed and the joy of their children, the religious leaders were angered at what happened to their bazaar. They confront Jesus only to have Jesus again quote the truth of Scripture that God would have a place of praise out of the mouths of children and babies.
There is still room in God's house for our healing. We can claim we stay away because there is no room or we don't "fit in," but the truth is that if we search from God Himself the healing, deliverance, forgiveness, and transformation that we lack, God will provide it. This is the perfect day to reflect on what we can receive from God right now. It is also the right time to prepare for what God did through His Son tomorrow night when Jesus established the celebration of what we now call Holy Communion. Don't stay away, come!
PRAYER: Loving God, Jesus' righteous anger was on my behalf. May nothing separate me from Your love. Let me find no excuse for staying away from Your presence and healing touch today and all days; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
P. S. Please be in prayer for Brittan Griffith, granddaughter of Rev. Carol Pifer. She is a luekemia survivor attending college in Colorado now seriously ill with a virus. Doctors are concerned as are all her family. Please pray for her healing and comfort as well as comfort and peace for Carol and all of her family. Thank you.
