February 26, 2007

• So at church yesterday the pastor spoke on John 2:12-22.  That's the story of when Jesus went into the temple and totally miffed, started overthrowing tables and kicked everyone out.  JC said, "don't turn my house into a marketplace."  The pastor brought up a perspective that I hadn't heard before.  So picture this...
  Jews from all over the world show up in Jerusalem for the passover celebration.  They come by foot and to bring unblemished sacrifices from far distances would be quite a feat so that's why the moneychangers in the temple, so you could change your foreign currency for the local currency, buy a temple approved sacrifice and sacrifice in the presence of the priest.  But if you can imagine, long lines, stop at the currency exchange, move along to door 2 to pick up your sacrifice, then move on over to the priest, make the sacrifice then outside for a picnic.  What's missing here??  Could it be the reflection?  True reflection of "man, my sin deserves death but this lamb is taking my place, it's the lamb that is getting what I deserve for my sin."  True somber reflection as you lift the knife to the lamb.  Could it be this that angered our Lord?  The methodical ritualistic process that it had become, the fact that His people had missed the point.  Whether that is why He started overthrowing things, shooing animals around and kicking the people out or not it made me think about my own time at the cross.  There are times that i feel like that's me, going through a set of rituals, checklists. OK, read my Bible, check.  Prayed, there check.  Spent time (5 minutes) with God, check.  OK, time to go do something more interesting.  SLAM.  Jesus should be overthrowing my table, the couch where my Bible is.  After all that my Lord has done for me...and the unbelievable thing he did for me on the cross.  I need to be way more reflective in my time with the one who saved me.  Life is NEVER too busy to spend time with God, but for more than just a little check on the "to do" list.  So that I can allow God to speak to me and sit in his presence.

  • 10:51 pm
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