Scripture:
Mark 11:15-33:
When JESUS came to Jerusalem it’s
clear He was unhappy with what He was seeing in the Temple. This was GOD’s house but it had become a
commercial enterprise rather than a place for people to come and worship GOD and
find healing. It had become restricted
by rules that exempted the blind, the destitute, and the outcasts.
JESUS declared in uncompromising
terms that, “My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations” (v. 17). On a wall not far from where JESUS made that
declaration was a sign reminding all foreigners who tried to pass the wall
would be killed and there were Temple police armed and ready to enforce this
rule. For JESUS to make this strong
declaration was remarkable. We can see
why He angered the religious leaders of His day. The Temple was to be a place of healing and
redemption for all people.
JESUS did not miss an opportunity
to include those who were usually excluded.
Anyone who may feel unworthy or excluded should be welcomed and discover
genuine hospitality when we meet GOD’s people.
Everyone should feel welcome regardless of their background or
history. We should extend that welcome
to all people.
There has never been a person
ever born who was not created by GOD and created in GOD’s own image no matter
how wicked or vile we may think they are (Genesis 1:26-27). There has never been a person ever born whom
JESUS did not suffer for and die for on what we call Good Friday. There has never been a person ever born whom
GOD did not offer redemption to through JESUS’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.
GOD loves all people right where
we are in the midst of our sin and depravity and demonstrated His unconditional
love for us by providing His own Son as atonement so that we, in the midst of
our sin, would be justified before GOD, saved from the wrath of GOD, reconciled
to GOD, and saved by His life (Romans 5:8-11).
Now see this incredible truth: “For if we have become united with Him in the
likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His
resurrection, knowing this, that our old self (the nature of Adam) was
crucified with Him in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so
that we would no longer be slaves to sin (the fallen nature of Adam)” (Romans
6:5-6). And see this: “For the death that He died, He died to sin
ONCE FOR ALL but the life that He lives, He lives to GOD. Even so, consider yourselves (it is a done
deal) to be dead to sin (fallen nature of Adam), but alive to GOD in CHRIST
JESUS” (Romans 6:10-11).
This is why I am overwhelmed in
worship & why I will celebrate Easter in a big way!
JESUS is Risen . . . !
Richard Holloman
No comments:
Post a Comment